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
Known as one of New York City’s premier comedy venues and a launchpad for today’s biggest names, The Stand will deliver a night featuring some of the sharpest, most in-demand voices in stand-up, including some special guest drop ins!
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The heist comedy is stacked with names that signal SXSW’s continued pull as both launchpad and spectacle.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As gala-watchers know, the big party is not only a fundraiser for the institute — a self-funding department — but a launchpad for the annual spring fashion exhibit.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Over the decades, the contest has become a launchpad for many professional playwrights who had their first plays staged at the San Diego festival, including Karen Hartman, Josefina López, Annie Weisman and Lauren Yee.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2026
The heist comedy is stacked with names that signal SXSW’s continued pull as both launchpad and spectacle.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 23 Feb. 2026
As gala-watchers know, the big party is not only a fundraiser for the institute — a self-funding department — but a launchpad for the annual spring fashion exhibit.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
Over the decades, the contest has become a launchpad for many professional playwrights who had their first plays staged at the San Diego festival, including Karen Hartman, Josefina López, Annie Weisman and Lauren Yee.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
Recovery from the 2024 incident In August 2024, the space industry watched as a first-stage hot fire test ended in an explosion on the pad.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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But Laughton, making his Kings debut, got that back two minutes later, lining a low wrist shot from a tough angle off the pads of Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Small unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly capable of threatening frontline troops, armored vehicles, logistics convoys, border installations, airports, and other sensitive facilities.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
By Sunday, one week after the most flight cancellations, flight traffic had begun to return at some airports that were largely closed in the days after the war began.—
Zach Levitt,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The outdoor terrace is the centerpiece of the redesign, providing sweeping views of the downtown skyline and active airfield.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
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But historic satellite imagery showed little activity at the airfield in the years following that demonstration.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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 14 Mar. 2026.
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