slingshot

noun

sling·​shot ˈsliŋ-ˌshät 

1

: a forked stick with an elastic band attached for shooting small stones

2

a

: a maneuver in auto racing in which a drafting car accelerates past the car in front by taking advantage of reserve power

b

: a dragster in which the driver sits behind the rear wheels

Examples of slingshot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This matters because chameleons hunt by ballistically launching their tongues like slingshots, using a tapered bone in their throat as a ramp. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025

The mechanism operates much like a slingshot, storing energy before releasing it in a rapid burst to propel the tongue toward prey. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

Add its orbital motion to its slingshot speed and this device should get above the 26 miles (42 kilometers) per second required to escape the solar system and enter interstellar space. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Rodriguez followed up with several powerhouse moves, including a slingshot Jackhammer. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slingshot

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

Kids Definition

slingshot

noun

sling·​shot ˈsliŋ-ˌshät 

: a forked stick with an elastic band attached for shooting small stones