launchpad

noun

Definition of launchpadnext
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 But Northeast’s performance, which emanates joy and a guileless sensuality, deserves to be as much of a launchpad to stardom. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 Some companies become launchpads for people who later build companies, lead teams or create new categories. — Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city, is less than 20 miles from the border with close Russian ally Belarus, which Vladimir Putin's forces used as a launchpad for their ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. — Aaron MacLean, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 These new episodes reflect our heritage as both the home of iconic comedy franchises and a premier launchpad for comedic talent. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
  1. pad
  2. airport
  3. airfield
  4. aerodrome
Noun
  • These microstructures generate molecular-level van der Waals forces that bind the foot pads to surrounding surfaces.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
  • It’s equipped with a cushioned running belt and shock-absorbing pads for smooth walks.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pad
Noun
  • Working in and around airports also gave me a different perspective on what can make a long day of flying easier, from organizing your belongings to keeping essentials always within reach.
    — Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
  • After booking your reservation, an on-site concierge will reach out to coordinate classes, excursions, and even expedited VIP airport service.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of airport
Noun
  • Operation Slingshot shows how KC-130J aircraft can deliver fuel, maintenance gear and personnel to remote airfields supporting F-35B fighters.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • An International Civil Aviation Organization code, or better known as ICAO, is used to designate airfields.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of airfield
Noun
  • The former often requires irregular cargo like radar systems, missile launchers, helicopters, engineering gear, bridge-laying equipment, etc, delivered to areas with no existing aerodromes.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • Jean-Christophe Verhaegen / AFP via Getty Images The aircraft, registered in Germany, crashed in a grassy area near the runway of the Nancy-Essey aerodrome, close to a residential area and two roads, an AFP journalist reported.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 June 2026
Definition of aerodrome

Browse Nearby Words

launching
launchpad
launchpads
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All