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.
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 launchpads
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
The majority of the biggest rounds across the sector have been for startups based in those two countries, with both emerging as key launchpads into new markets and battlefield training.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Once reliable job launchpads in gateway fields such as finance, consulting, and journalism now routinely demand two or more years of prior experience.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Or the way Karl Lagerfeld turned Grand Palais into supermarkets, icebergs, and rocket launchpads.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 17 Aug. 2025
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
The majority of the biggest rounds across the sector have been for startups based in those two countries, with both emerging as key launchpads into new markets and battlefield training.
—Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Once reliable job launchpads in gateway fields such as finance, consulting, and journalism now routinely demand two or more years of prior experience.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Or the way Karl Lagerfeld turned Grand Palais into supermarkets, icebergs, and rocket launchpads.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpads
Noun
-
The Best Airbnbs in Crete, According to Vogue Getting to Crete is easy thanks to not one, but two major airports.—
Katie Silcox,
Vogue,
28 May 2026
-
The plan would block global flights at certain airports, paralyzing travel for some of the biggest cities in the country — especially New York City.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The mission was the 3rd in less than 30 hours for SpaceX among its 2 Florida and 1 California launch pads.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2026
-
Space Force officials said the explosion would not affect upcoming launches by other companies from other pads.—
Marcia Dunn,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
They are flanked by armored bunkers and fortified weapons-storage areas, as well as airfields and railheads that link the octagons to the Hami silos.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Those who don’t want to drive to Roy’s can actually fly into the desert landing strip behind the cafe (which was apparently one of California’s first airfields of any kind).—
Joe Yogerst,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Launchpads.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpads. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
