catapult

[kat-uh-puhlt, -poolt]

noun

1. an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.

2. a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.

3. British.,  a slingshot.

verb (used with object)

1. to hurl from a catapult.

2. to thrust or move quickly or suddenly.

   His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.

   Synonyms: shoot, pitch, propel, fling, throw

3. British.

   1. to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.

   2. to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.

verb (used without object)

1. to be catapulted.

2. to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult.

   The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed.

catapult

/ ˈkætəˌpʌlt /

noun

1. US and Canadian name: slingshot. a Y-shaped implement with a loop of elastic fastened to the ends of the two prongs, used mainly by children for shooting small stones, etc

2. a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc

3. a device installed in warships to launch aircraft

verb

1. (tr) to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult

2. to move precipitately

   she was catapulted to stardom overnight

Other Word Forms

• catapultic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catapult¹

1570–80; < Latin catapulta < Greek katapéltēs, equivalent to kata- cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl

Word History and Origins

Origin of catapult¹

C16: from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltēs, from kata- down + pallein to hurl

Example Sentences

Five birdies on the back nine catapulted the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup champion Fleetwood into contention, while Canter's 67 was built on a platform of four birdies in his opening seven holes.

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Simply put, he’s suggesting a moon base will crank out satellites and throw them into orbit with a catapult.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Louis likens himself to Pierre, the main protagonist in War & Peace, who represents the "everyman" as the illegitimate son of a rich aristocrat who inherits a huge fortune, catapulting him into Russian high society.

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Curry’s deal with Under Armour catapulted him to the top of highest earners in all of sports.

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Both videos helped facilitate Carpenter’s catapult into the cultural lexicon with the summer-infused shots in “Espresso” and the “Death Becomes Her” story line in “Taste.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• slingshot