Illustration of catapult
- catapult 1
cat·a·pult
ˈka-tə-ˌpəlt 
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane at flying speed (as from an aircraft carrier)
catapulted; catapulting; catapults
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
Examples of catapult in a Sentence
Verb
They catapulted rocks toward the castle.
The publicity catapulted her CD to the top of the charts.
The novel catapulted him from unknown to best-selling author.
He catapulted to fame after his first book was published.
Her career was catapulting ahead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The badge shows an illustration of the Fujian's electromagnetic catapults launching two aircraft.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
Upon martyrdom, they were catapulted into the embrace of God.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
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Noun
Unlike its predecessors, which use a ski-jump flight deck for aircraft takeoffs, the Fujian is equipped with electromagnetic catapults, enabling it to launch heavier aircraft.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The badge shows an illustration of the Fujian's electromagnetic catapults launching two aircraft.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Kassidy Carmichael registered three goals in the loss after catapulting the Ghosts to the finals with a last-second goal in the Final Four.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025
Upon martyrdom, they were catapulted into the embrace of God.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catapult
Cite this Entry
“Catapult.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catapult. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catapult
1 of 2 noun
cat·a·pult
ˈkat-ə-ˌpəlt
-ˌpu̇lt
1
: an ancient military device for hurling missiles
2
: a device for launching an airplane (as from the deck of an aircraft carrier)
catapult
2 of 2 verb1
: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult
2
: to become catapulted
he catapulted to fame
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