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.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of launchpad
At last, in October 2025, ESCAPADE reached the launchpad.
—
Ari Koeppel, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025
As actor and director, Jordan and Coogler’s relationship extends across from five films, including the latter’s 2013 feature directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, which was also a leading star launchpad for Jordan.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025
Designed to champion high-artistic-value productions and accelerate emerging careers, the Incubator has become a key launchpad since its 2019 bow, supporting 27 projects to date.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025
Allen recognizes his experience – and the coalition that gave him a launchpad to self-sufficiency – happened only because of Cornelius’ death.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Ari Koeppel, The Conversation, 9 Dec. 2025
As actor and director, Jordan and Coogler’s relationship extends across from five films, including the latter’s 2013 feature directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, which was also a leading star launchpad for Jordan.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 8 Dec. 2025
Designed to champion high-artistic-value productions and accelerate emerging careers, the Incubator has become a key launchpad since its 2019 bow, supporting 27 projects to date.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 3 Dec. 2025
Allen recognizes his experience – and the coalition that gave him a launchpad to self-sufficiency – happened only because of Cornelius’ death.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
Once the pads came on, Suamataia took virtually every first-team rep at left tackle.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Even one of the greatest ever to play this game, Joe Root, could not work out how to break free of the 36-year-old’s shackles here, failing to score a single run off him for 23 balls in a row before finally yielding to the python-like grip when missing one that homed in on his pads.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
First responders in Atlanta rushed to an airport runway Tuesday after an aircraft experienced a harrowing landing failure, with all eight of its landing tires bursting the moment the plane touched down, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Hashmi’s team are duly assembled – with cuts showing the team physically fighting their enemies in and around the airport.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His plan centered on seizing the Hostomel airfield, a crucial staging post for an assault on the capital, but Putin’s forces got bogged down and eventually withdrew.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Since 2014, the Russian military has opened several military bases in the Arctic and worked on reconstructing airfields.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
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 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share