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
That latter plan, however, suffered a major setback after a New Glenn exploded—destroying some of Blue Origin’s mission-critical infrastructure—during testing on the company’s launchpad on May 28.
—
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
However, in May 2026 a New Glenn rocket exploded during a test and severely damaged Blue Origin’s launchpad, casting doubt on whether Blue Origin would be ready for Artemis III.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
For example, SpaceX launched its first Starship rocket test flight in April 2023, before building a flame trench under the launchpad at its Starbase facility in South Texas.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Blue Origin only has one New Glenn launchpad, making Thursday’s explosion an especially devastating mishap.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
However, in May 2026 a New Glenn rocket exploded during a test and severely damaged Blue Origin’s launchpad, casting doubt on whether Blue Origin would be ready for Artemis III.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
For example, SpaceX launched its first Starship rocket test flight in April 2023, before building a flame trench under the launchpad at its Starbase facility in South Texas.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 June 2026
Blue Origin only has one New Glenn launchpad, making Thursday’s explosion an especially devastating mishap.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
Root added only two runs to his overnight 75 and was beaten by Henry between bat and pad and struck plumb on the back thigh.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 June 2026
-
At one practice during the fall of 2024, Washington’s assistant athletic director of football academics Diamond Brown was standing on the sideline when Jonah bounded up to her in full pads and begun complaining about his grade in a music class.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
The whole crew, minus Jason, who can’t bend his knee, and Lacy, who needs a whole day to get to an airport owned by John Wayne, goes to Punta Mita, Mexico, to celebrate the birthdays of Schwartz, Zack, and Danny.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
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Flights at all major Moscow airports were temporarily suspended on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing the Russian aviation agency.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
The private space is on airport grounds and near the airfield, but away from the main terminals.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
The companies say the approach could give military units greater flexibility in contested environments where traditional airfields may be unavailable or vulnerable.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Fifty-seven-year-old Keiron Beau James Hedges was charged with one count of threatening to destroy, damage, or endanger the safety of a Commonwealth aerodrome.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While a lot of the Garmin D2 Mach 2 Pro’s features are shared with Garmin’s other top watches, the Mach line also provides flight-first features too, including an airport database and aerodrome reports.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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