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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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
-
Its airports have remained operational, its economy benefited from a larger citizen population (rather than relying on expatriates), and Tehran has been more cautious in confronting the kingdom directly.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
4 June 2026
-
Due to recent disruptions in government funding, airports and security checks have become an even bigger nightmare than usual.—
Carin Ryan,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Most of the drone factories have been knocked out, most of the launching pads have been knocked out and most of the missile manufacturing areas have been knocked out.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
-
Surgery staff not using defibrillator pads.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 June 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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