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
Akon, who spent part of his childhood in Senegal, had promoted the city as Africa's answer to Wakanda and a launchpad for his Akoin cryptocurrency.
—
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
In addition to being a great way for fans to learn what their favorite stars are reading, celebrity book clubs can serve as launchpads for an author's career — and create a reading community worldwide.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 4 July 2025
View gallery - 11 images Eurobike 2025 is really shaping up to be the ultimate launchpad for tiny ebike motors.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
Like Gigi Perez and Malcolm Todd before him, Warren used TikTok not just as a launchpad, but as an incubator for creativity and authenticity.
—Tasbeeh Herwees, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
In addition to being a great way for fans to learn what their favorite stars are reading, celebrity book clubs can serve as launchpads for an author's career — and create a reading community worldwide.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 4 July 2025
View gallery - 11 images Eurobike 2025 is really shaping up to be the ultimate launchpad for tiny ebike motors.
—New Atlas, 18 June 2025
Like Gigi Perez and Malcolm Todd before him, Warren used TikTok not just as a launchpad, but as an incubator for creativity and authenticity.
—Tasbeeh Herwees, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
-
Players warming up without certain pads or helmets.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
19 July 2025
-
For a reusable alternative to pads, consider period underwear.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
17 July 2025
Noun
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The $205 million project will usher in a new era for the Indianapolis airport, which screened a record 10 million passengers last year and is consistently ranked the best mid-sized airport in North America.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
29 July 2025
-
Five people were evaluated for injuries at the scene but did not require hospitalization, airport officials said.—
Jeff Martin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
Noun
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This project will improve safety and simplify air traffic control, increasing overall efficiency and operations of the airfield, with benefits accruing to the overall National Air System.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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Ben Montgomery/Getty Images Russia has a number of military bases and airfields around the city of Murmansk and nearby Severomorsk, the home of the main Northern Fleet headquarters and a major submarine base.—
Ellie Cook
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Ukraine begged former President Joe Biden and German leaders to no avail to provide long-range missiles that could hit distant Russian aerodromes and eliminate strategic bombers at the source.—
Trudy Rubin,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2025
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Ukraine begged former President Joe Biden and German leaders to no avail to provide long range missiles that could hit distant Russian aerodromes and eliminate strategic bombers at the source.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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