as in pad
an area from which a rocket is launched
—often used figuratively
The TV cameras were focused on the launchpad as the time for liftoff approached. The program she hosted on local radio was the launchpad for her network career.
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Recent Examples of launchpad
The big orange rocket that’s currently on the launchpad and the crew capsule on top of it are both designed by NASA and built by legacy contractors, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
—
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
The book was a launchpad for the Falcons’ season, which culminated in a Class 6A championship victory over Northfield, earning Jarocki the title of All-Colorado girls’ hoops Coach of the Year.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
The Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule on their way to the launchpad.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.
—Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
The book was a launchpad for the Falcons’ season, which culminated in a Class 6A championship victory over Northfield, earning Jarocki the title of All-Colorado girls’ hoops Coach of the Year.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026
The Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule on their way to the launchpad.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
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When most teenagers are focused on school and social life, Miri Ahuja, a freshman at Evergreen Valley High School, has been busy quietly changing her community — one pad at a time.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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The launch pad endured a lightning strike on April 27, but SpaceX said the rocket was healthy for the attempt.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Continue reading … SAFETY QUESTIONS — Two passenger jets trigger collision warnings on approach into busy airport.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The partnership between the Port Authority and The Seeing Eye goes back to 1994 — three decades of puppies learning to work in one of the busiest airport systems in the country.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Behind the scenes, her military reportedly drew up plans to blow up airfields in the event of an American invasion.—
Nikhil Kumar,
Time,
15 Apr. 2026
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The Independence project across Barnett Avenue from the Marine base replaced the Ryan airfield at Dutch Flats.—
Eric DuVall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The base, which sat on a hill east of the city, in the Franconia region of northern Bavaria, was a former Luftwaffe aerodrome, and had been occupied by American forces in 1945 and renamed in 1947 to honor Captain John A. Leighton, a U.S. Army Air Forces officer killed in World War II.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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All eight films were shot at Leavesden, a converted World War II-era aerodrome, which is now the production home base for the upcoming series.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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