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
Scary Movie served as a launchpad for Faris’ comedy career.
—
Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
GitHub later became the launchpad for tools like Copilot, anchoring Microsoft back at the center of the modern developer stack.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Hamas has governed Gaza and its roughly two million inhabitants ever since - and also used it as a launchpad for attacks in its long term war to destroy Israel.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
As traditional commissioning streams run dry, industry focus has shifted toward digital-first models, with YouTube emerging as both a testing ground for original series and a launchpad for new IP.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
GitHub later became the launchpad for tools like Copilot, anchoring Microsoft back at the center of the modern developer stack.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Hamas has governed Gaza and its roughly two million inhabitants ever since - and also used it as a launchpad for attacks in its long term war to destroy Israel.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
As traditional commissioning streams run dry, industry focus has shifted toward digital-first models, with YouTube emerging as both a testing ground for original series and a launchpad for new IP.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
The sky-high, three-bedroom pad features 2,542 square feet of chic interiors by Johnson Naylor, a private rooftop terrace of 858 square feet, and balconies on both levels.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The removable compression pad tamps everything down tight.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Louisville airport is only a 10-minute drive from the city's downtown, which sits on the river bordering the Indiana state line.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Flights are being delayed and cancelled across the country because of airport staffing shortages.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Though the cause of the crash has not yet been released, NTSB officials said the left engine detached from the plane and was found on the airfield.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Shortly after takeoff, the plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, went down about 3 miles south of the airfield.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
5 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 2025.
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