launchpads

plural of launchpad
as in airports
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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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 launchpads Some companies become launchpads for people who later build companies, lead teams or create new categories. — Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 SpaceX already operates its Starbase spaceport in rural Texas, as well as launchpads at government spaceports on the coasts of California and Florida. — Elizabeth Howell, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026 At the same time, Venice remains one of the fall’s key launchpads for prestige movies, awards hopefuls and international titles looking to build momentum with distributors and buyers. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 With history, culture, and great places to eat, these quaint spots are ideal launchpads for exploring the natural beauty of the Golden State. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026 The room is supposed to be a charming gathering nook where my family can hang out, not a control room outfitted with complex launchpads. — Jill Kargman, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026 At that point, SpaceX had two launchpads, allowing the company to return to flight in January 2017. — Wendy Whitman Cobb, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 Gates 5 and 10 are the only launchpads for more than 10 percent of Kentucky Derby winners. — Peter Keating, New York Times, 1 May 2026 College graduates earn significantly higher lifetime incomes, have access to better healthcare, and are far more likely to achieve upward social mobility — because their degrees serve as proxies for experience and are favored by employers, these credentials are career launchpads. — CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpads
Noun
  • This all comes at a time when ICE arrests have reached a record high—nearly fifty-one thousand in August alone—with agents conducting operations nationwide at hospitals, at airports, and outside schools.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In the future, if these technical and regulatory limitations can be overcome, the technology could extend far beyond hotels and airports.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • It’s equipped with a cushioned running belt and shock-absorbing pads for smooth walks.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In this case, there’s no swiping or rubbing at all—just let the pads sit and soak in for a few minutes before gently patting in the excess.
    — Jenny Jin, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Launchpads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpads. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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