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
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
The United States operates a fleet of amphibious assault ships—America-class and Wasp-class—that lack catapults and arresting gear.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
However, Cox catapulted into the national spotlight that year with a striking campaign innovation.
—John T. Shaw, Mercury News, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
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Noun
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
The United States operates a fleet of amphibious assault ships—America-class and Wasp-class—that lack catapults and arresting gear.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
Verb
Kirk’s death catapulted his wife into the spotlight as the public sought to learn more about her late husband’s views on politics and policy.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2025
However, Cox catapulted into the national spotlight that year with a striking campaign innovation.
—John T. Shaw, Mercury News, 4 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 8 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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