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
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
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The new hull section, visible this month, shows design elements similar to those on American supercarriers of the Nimitz and Ford classes, including what analysts say appears to be space for multiple catapult tracks.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
Stepping into the first-floor unit is like being catapulted back to some of the most comforting moments in childhood.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
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Noun
But the real catapult came with the arrival of Mickey Matthews.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The new hull section, visible this month, shows design elements similar to those on American supercarriers of the Nimitz and Ford classes, including what analysts say appears to be space for multiple catapult tracks.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
After a brief stint acting on the Disney Channel, Paul transitioned to boxing in 2018, a move that catapulted him into both fame and controversy within the sport.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
Stepping into the first-floor unit is like being catapulted back to some of the most comforting moments in childhood.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 23 Dec. 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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