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
Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
In comparison, the US Navy’s aircraft carriers still await electromagnetic catapults to launch F-35 stealth fighters.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 27 Sep. 2025
Shakur’s political work garnered her attention in the 1960s and ‘70s, and thus catapulted her onto a larger stage.
—Essence, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
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Noun
The dramatic thump of the ship’s four electromagnetic catapults which shoot them into the sky is constant and can be heard throughout the ship.
—Matthew Bodner, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
In comparison, the US Navy’s aircraft carriers still await electromagnetic catapults to launch F-35 stealth fighters.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
The film follows Prime Minister Jacinda Arden over seven years as she is catapulted to the top of New Zealand politics.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 27 Sep. 2025
Shakur’s political work garnered her attention in the 1960s and ‘70s, and thus catapulted her onto a larger stage.
—Essence, 26 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 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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