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
His words inspired me to explore how the cultural languages of our youth in arts, sports and entrepreneurship could be a launchpad to explore technology.
—
Olatunde Sobomehin, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The documentary film festival has unveiled a lineup of 164 films, including 128 new titles, among them 83 world premieres and eight international premieres, as well as 36 debut features, reinforcing the festival’s role as a key launchpad for new voices in nonfiction.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The pre-Christmas slot had been the launchpad for the previous Jumanji films.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
No word yet on how closely Coel’s take will hew to the original, nor whether Coel will star as the fighter or if this could be a launchpad for a new MMA fighter turned actor.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Olatunde Sobomehin, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
The documentary film festival has unveiled a lineup of 164 films, including 128 new titles, among them 83 world premieres and eight international premieres, as well as 36 debut features, reinforcing the festival’s role as a key launchpad for new voices in nonfiction.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
The pre-Christmas slot had been the launchpad for the previous Jumanji films.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
No word yet on how closely Coel’s take will hew to the original, nor whether Coel will star as the fighter or if this could be a launchpad for a new MMA fighter turned actor.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
The first week of spring practice has come and gone for coach Tim Albin and the Charlotte 49ers, who put on pads for the first time Saturday morning.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Sleeping bags were permitted, but not pillows or pads.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the city’s highest earners work in Jones’ office, in the city attorney’s office, for the airport or in other transportation roles, according to data as of March 2026.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
That led to more Transportation Security Administration agents calling out from work, causing frustrating security lines at some of the nation's biggest airports.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to secure key territory and airfields.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Two controllers were working in the tower cab at the time, the top of the tower that looks out over the airfield, the NTSB confirmed on Tuesday.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
26 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
-
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 3 Apr. 2026.
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