trebuchet
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of trebuchet
1300–50; Middle English < Middle French, equivalent to trebuch ( er ) to overturn, fall ( tre ( s ) across, over (< Latin trāns- trans- ) + buc trunk of body < Germanic; compare Old English būc belly) + -et -et
Explanation
A trebuchet is a kind of catapult that was used to hurl heavy stones or other projectiles during battles in the Middle Ages. Don't try using a trebuchet for a spit wad. A straw will suffice. Trebuchets were the most powerful catapults used in the Middle Ages, and they were important weapons during military siege attacks on enemy fortifications. Using a counterweight, a trebuchet could hurl an extremely large and heavy rock very fast, potentially causing a lot of damage. The twelfth century Old French word trebuchet means "siege engine," from trebucher, "to overturn or overthrow."
Vocabulary lists containing trebuchet
2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 3
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Medieval Europe - Middle School
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"Nimona" by Noelle Stevenson
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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.
Looking back on his first trebuchet, Bertrand laughs and admits he had no idea what he was doing.
From Slate • Jul. 7, 2025
With 10:02 left in the second quarter Saturday, UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took a shotgun snap, dropped three steps and uncorked a trebuchet, as wide receiver Jalen McMillan sprinted uncovered up the seam.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2022
Find the trebuchet just below the tower at upper right.
From The Verge • Jun. 18, 2022
Imperious Megadeth poobah fires succession of pontifical edicts from the flaming trebuchet of his own ego.
From The Guardian • Dec. 13, 2016
The three girls moved to a mound of palm fronds, carefully removing them to reveal a rickety wooden trebuchet made of bamboo and counterweighted with coconuts.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
