catapult

noun cat·a·pult \ ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt , -ˌpu̇lt \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

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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See catapult defined for kids

Recent Examples of catapult from the Web

Children can also learn about catapult launches and watch marionette performances.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 20 Apr. 2018
Her profile — at the top of the adult entertainment world, before the affair — catapults ever higher.

— matthew ormseth, courant.com, "Stormy Daniels Will Bring Her Show To East Windsor Night Club In June," 16 Apr. 2018
Deck handlers have simulated moving an aircraft from the carrier’s aircraft elevators to a position on the ship’s catapult.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Sailors on Aircraft Carriers Could Guide Drones With a Wave of Their Hands," 26 Jan. 2018
Ideally, On My Block will be the catapult that makes the cast — most of whom hover around age 20 — the next class of Netflix talent.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Your Guide To The Bright-Eyed & Bushy Tailed Cast Of On My Block," 27 Mar. 2018
The new ranking catapults Baylor back ahead of the University of Texas Southwestern, its Dallas rival.

— todd ackerman, Houston Chronicle, "Baylor College of Medicine ranks fifth-best at training primary care docs, U.S. News says," 21 Mar. 2018
What facts provide is a catapult for a leap into rational faith.

— samuel moyn, The New Republic, "Hype for the Best," 19 Mar. 2018
Parents and kids worked together to create their own catapults and musical instruments.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Laurel Elementary puts spotlight on science [Old Town]," 15 Mar. 2018
According to TechCrunch, the momentum from the centrifuge would then be transferred into a catapult that would send the payload hurtling through the sky at a speed of around 3,000 MPH.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Space Startup Wants to Catapult Payloads Into Space," 22 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catapult.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1577

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

catapult

verb

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

See catapult defined for English-language learners

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.

Recent Examples of catapult from the Web

Although the past does not predict future evolution, a greater integration with technology and genetic engineering may catapult the human brain into the unknown.

— Scientific American, "How Has the Human Brain Evolved?," 9 Apr. 2018
The victory also catapulted him to a career-high ranking of No.

— cindy shmerler, New York Times, "From a Low Point, John Isner Finds a Way to New Heights," 5 Apr. 2018
The 21-year-old has now catapulted into college basketball stardom and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament.

— CBS News, "Meet the college basketball star whose last-second shot helped make history," 3 Apr. 2018
The jersey-popping, gator-chomping, land-shark flashing guard catapulted to national fame during Mississippi’s SEC tournament title run in 2013.

— chris chase, For The Win, "The 15 best characters, memes and bawling adults from NCAA tournament history," 2 Apr. 2018
For the lucky few, however, one role can catapult them to stardom — and that’s what Claire still strives to achieve, every day.

— allie briggs, refinery29.com, "I Thought I Would Have A La La Land Moment — But Here's My Reality," 26 Mar. 2018
And you are being catapulted toward the horizon at warp speed.

— a.j. baime, WSJ, "Purple Lamborghini: A Love Story," 20 Mar. 2018
Diaz, a pitch-pefect writer who was born in the Dominican Republic, catapults us into Lola’s world with humor, vivid detail and an authentic kid’s-eye view.

— nara schoenberg, chicagotribune.com, "Junot Diaz's 'Islandborn': A pitch-perfect children's book — plus more kids' books reviewed," 19 Mar. 2018
What happens when those artisanal producers, catapulted by a combination of exposure and great product, become million-dollar companies, or even part of global conglomerates?

— paolo lucchesi, San Francisco Chronicle, "Does the Ferry Building still reflect the Bay Area’s food culture?," 9 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of catapult

1848

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

catapult Synonyms

Synonyms

cast, chuck, dash, fire, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, launch, lob, loft, peg, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss;

Related Words

bowl, dart, flip, gun, hook, pass, roll, shoot;

buck, eject, impel, precipitate, project, propel, rifle, thrust;

Phrases

let fly;

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

CATAPULT Defined for English Language Learners

catapult

noun

Definition of catapult for English Language Learners

: an ancient weapon used for throwing large rocks
: a device for launching an airplane from the deck of an aircraft carrier

catapult

verb

Definition of catapult for English Language Learners

: to throw (something) with a catapult
: to cause (someone or something) to quickly move up or ahead or to a better position
: to quickly move up or ahead : to quickly advance to a better position