catapult

1 of 2

noun

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)

Illustration of catapult

• catapult 1

catapult

2 of 2

verb

catapulted; catapulting; catapults

transitive verb

: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult

intransitive verb

: to become catapulted

he catapulted to fame

Synonyms of catapult

Verb

• throw
• hurl
• toss
• fling

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

Noun

Steam catapults have the enormous advantage of being mature and extensively understood. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

In essence, catapults shove jets from stationary positions to takeoff speeds over a very short distance. — Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra, who had been polling toward the bottom of the list of candidates, catapulted to the top. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

The original catapulted the British actress to a Hollywood career, but in the sequel she is overshadowed by Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for catapult

• subadult
• adult
• consult
• exult
• insult
• occult
• result
• cult

Kids 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 verb

1

: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult

2

: to become catapulted

he catapulted to fame