Definition of catapult
1 : an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2 : a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
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Illustration of catapult
Origin and Etymology of catapult
Medieval French or Latin; Medieval French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl
catapult
Definition of catapult
transitive verb
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
intransitive verb
: to become catapulted he catapulted to fame
Examples of catapult in a Sentence
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.
First Known Use of catapult
1848
CATAPULT Defined for English Language Learners
catapult
playDefinition of catapult for English Language Learners
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: an ancient weapon used for throwing large rocks
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: a device for launching an airplane from the deck of an aircraft carrier
catapult
Definition of catapult for English Language Learners
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: to throw (something) with a catapult
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: to cause (someone or something) to quickly move up or ahead or to a better position
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: to quickly move up or ahead : to quickly advance to a better position
CATAPULT Defined for Kids
Definition of catapult for Students
1 : an ancient military machine for hurling stones and arrows
2 : a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship
Definition of catapult for Students
catapulted
;catapulting
1 : to throw by or as if by a catapult She catapulted herself out of the door. — Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy
2 : to quickly advance The movie role catapulted her to fame.
Learn More about catapult
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See words that rhyme with catapult Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for catapult Spanish Central: Translation of catapult Nglish: Translation of catapult for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of catapult for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catapult
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