as in pad
an area from which a rocket is launched
—often used figuratively
The TV cameras were focused on the launchpad as the time for liftoff approached. The program she hosted on local radio was the launchpad for her network career.
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Recent Examples of launchpad
In December of 2024, community organizations sued Texas, alleging wastewater from SpaceX launchpads was washing into nearby wetlands.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
For my company, that means being both a refuge for weary DEI professionals and a launchpad for those ready to step into their next great act.
—Dria James, refinery29.com, 12 Feb. 2025
According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute, about 5 million children in the United States live with at least one undocumented parent, potentially transforming school dropoffs into deportation launchpads.
—Josh Rosenthal, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
Debris like concrete and shrapnel rained down on an environmentally sensitive migratory bird habitat near the company’s Boca Chica launchpad.
—Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
For my company, that means being both a refuge for weary DEI professionals and a launchpad for those ready to step into their next great act.
—Dria James, refinery29.com, 12 Feb. 2025
According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute, about 5 million children in the United States live with at least one undocumented parent, potentially transforming school dropoffs into deportation launchpads.
—Josh Rosenthal, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025
Debris like concrete and shrapnel rained down on an environmentally sensitive migratory bird habitat near the company’s Boca Chica launchpad.
—Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
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In late 2024, Ukraine used maritime drones as launch pads for aerial drones to attack Russian oil rigs and surveillance systems in the Black Sea.—
Mick Ryan,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Feb. 2025
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Teams deemed the valve needed to be replaced and the rocket needed to be rolled back from the pad to Boeing’s Vertical Integration Facility.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, (LAS,) is the seventh-busiest airport in the United States.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Work will continue overnight to keep the airfield clear.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
4 Jan. 2025
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The airfield is used by Russia's military station its Tu-95MS and Tu-160 jets, which launch cruise missile strikes against Ukraine and are nuclear-capable.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The aim is to commercialize both piloted and autonomous civilian aircraft and the $1.4 billion will be spent creating a city-wide infrastructure for flying vehicles, with over 100 take-off and landing points in Guangzhou, a large general aviation aerodrome and a fleet of airborne taxis.—
Mike Hanlon,
New Atlas,
13 Aug. 2024
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And a huge concrete area that looked like an aerodrome was awaiting rebuilding as a new suburb.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2024
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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