Illustration of catapult
- catapult 1
cat·a·pult
ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt 
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
catapulted; catapulting; catapults
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
Synonyms
Examples of catapult in a Sentence
Verb
They catapulted rocks toward the castle.
The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts.
The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author.
He catapulted to fame after his first book was published.
Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ali Faccenda, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The second ship in the class, the John F. Kennedy, has begun testing of its electromagnetic aircraft launch system in February, which replaces steam catapults used by the Nimitz-class.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
To answer these questions, the story catapults through time to reveal significant moments in Suchi and Haiwen’s lives.
—Kayla Maiuri, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for catapult 
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Noun
The 272-piece set even features interactive accessories like a snowball catapult, snow castle, Christmas tree, and fireplace.
—Ali Faccenda, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
The second ship in the class, the John F. Kennedy, has begun testing of its electromagnetic aircraft launch system in February, which replaces steam catapults used by the Nimitz-class.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
That film catapulted Nyoni into the rare status of rising British auteur.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025
To answer these questions, the story catapults through time to reveal significant moments in Suchi and Haiwen’s lives.
—Kayla Maiuri, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for catapult
Dictionary Entries Near catapult
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catapult
1 of 2 noun
cat·a·pult
ˈkat-ə-ˌpəlt
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane (as from the deck of an aircraft carrier)
catapult
2 of 2 verb1
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
2
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
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