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
Bringing back Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Viola Davis's character was the launchpad that began a whole new roster for Task Force X.
—
Grace Dean, Space.com, 3 July 2025
The theming will begin with Legoland Spaceport 885 launchpad, and that number is a reference to one of the original Lego Space Scooter sets.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
On Wednesday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Kuiper satellites lifted off from a launchpad on Florida's Space Coast at 2:30 a.m. ET.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 July 2025
That way, when the time comes to transition, this network becomes your early warning system, your learning hub, and your launchpad into what’s next.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Grace Dean, Space.com, 3 July 2025
The theming will begin with Legoland Spaceport 885 launchpad, and that number is a reference to one of the original Lego Space Scooter sets.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025
On Wednesday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Kuiper satellites lifted off from a launchpad on Florida's Space Coast at 2:30 a.m. ET.
—Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 July 2025
That way, when the time comes to transition, this network becomes your early warning system, your learning hub, and your launchpad into what’s next.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
There’s no need to constantly change your tampons or pads throughout the day.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 Aug. 2025
-
James Cook emerged from the Highmark Stadium tunnel in full pads and uniform, putting a charge into the pregame summer air.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Affected airports alongside Chicago included Denver, Newark, Houston and San Francisco, per the FAA.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
-
In all, the funding requested by members of the state's House delegation covered 49 projects across Wisconsin, touching on everything from housing in Milwaukee to a freight infrastructure project in Monroe County to improvements to Green Bay's airport.—
Lawrence Andrea,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Alexandria International Airport has the feel of a small commercial airfield, with a shop selling coffee and snacks and panoramic windows overlooking the runways where a dozen American and Delta flights take off and land on a typical day.—
Brent McDonald,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
-
During World War I, the hotel served as both a hospital and housing facilities for a training airfield built around the hotel, according to HES.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
27 July 2025
Noun
-
Ukraine begged former President Joe Biden and German leaders to no avail to provide long-range missiles that could hit distant Russian aerodromes and eliminate strategic bombers at the source.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2025
-
Ukraine begged former President Joe Biden and German leaders to no avail to provide long range missiles that could hit distant Russian aerodromes and eliminate strategic bombers at the source.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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