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
Milwaukee Film’s ‘Indie Breakouts’ series starts with ‘Donnie Darko’
Milwaukee Film kicks off 2025 with a series of independent movies that proved to be launchpads for the actors in them and the directors making them.
—
Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Rapid ascent for a guy named Shapiro, VP shortlist a launchpad for the Dems' next superhero?
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
However, its launchpad also includes some other major marketing moments.
—Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Now in its fifth season, Rising Voices continues to evolve, solidifying its place as a launchpad for cinematic innovation.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for launchpad 
Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
Rapid ascent for a guy named Shapiro, VP shortlist a launchpad for the Dems' next superhero?
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024
However, its launchpad also includes some other major marketing moments.
—Louis Biscotti, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Now in its fifth season, Rising Voices continues to evolve, solidifying its place as a launchpad for cinematic innovation.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
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Hussain and Lawal took advantage of the space and equipment in Northbrook, spending hours with excited boys and girls of different ages eager to try on mitts, practice punches against pads and the heavy punching bag and work through different drills and footwork around the ring.—
Shanzeh Ahmad,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Then there's the roof - a convenient landing pad for fire embers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Advertisement After decades on the run, Zambada, 78, was arrested by U.S. authorities in July at an airport near El Paso.—
Keegan Hamilton,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
-
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is once again near the top of national rankings for firearms discovered in carry-ons, alongside three other Texas airports.—
Nicole Cobler,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its fleet operates from 14 airfields and 11 helicopter bases across the state that can reach most fires within about 20 minutes.—
Michael Dorgan,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
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Hours before air-raid warnings were issued for Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot near a critical military airfield in southern Russia.—
Cassandra Vinograd,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
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
Thesaurus Entries Near launchpad
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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