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
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Electromagnetic catapults demand substantial electrical power, particularly when launching heavy aircraft over short distances.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Over the last decade, the web of Noma alums opening their own bakeries and restaurants around Copenhagen has helped catapult the city’s dining scene to new heights, drawing food obsessives in droves.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Maybe that below-the-line love catapults it in.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Electromagnetic catapults demand substantial electrical power, particularly when launching heavy aircraft over short distances.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
The women have frequently shared their custom dirty soda orders and helped catapult the once-niche drink, often guzzled from 44-ounce mega cups, into the spotlight.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 27 Jan. 2026
Over the last decade, the web of Noma alums opening their own bakeries and restaurants around Copenhagen has helped catapult the city’s dining scene to new heights, drawing food obsessives in droves.
—Emily Wilson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
