launch pad
noun
the platform on which a missile or launch vehicle undergoes final prelaunch checkout and countdown and from which it is launched from the surface of the earth.
launchpad
-
a variation of
launch pad.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On November 7, Pope Leo XIV will head to Montevideo, the capital of Latin America's most secular country and the launchpad for his tour of the region.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
The firm said it was also confident a jailbroken Kimi 2.6 could allow hackers to run code on its computing resources and connect to the internet - making it a potential launchpad for cyber-attacks.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
The Elon Musk-led company has invested more than $15 billion into Starship so far, which stands roughly 400 feet tall on the launchpad.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
It was the Grateful Dead’s retreat, Robin Williams’ launchpad, and the solid ground upon which Philip K. Dick questioned reality.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
As the rocket blasted from the launchpad and accelerated into the sky toward maximum velocity, the aerodynamic pressure on the capsule also increased to a point known as “max Q.”
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
