catapult

USKAT-uh-pult/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/

10 meanings of catapult

1
nouncountable
A machine that throws large objects through the air with force.
Like a giant spoon that flings a rock high into the air.
The soldiers built a huge catapult to attack the castle walls.
Each catapult could throw rocks far over the wall.
Note
2
verbtransitive
To quickly raise something to a much higher level or position.
Like being thrown straight to the top in one quick push.
The hit song catapulted her to fame overnight.
One viral video can catapult an unknown artist into stardom.
Similarpropel, rocket, shoot, launch
Note
3
verbtransitive
To throw or launch something through the air with great force.
Like flinging a stone with a slingshot.
The machine can catapult a heavy ball across the field.
They catapulted the test dummy into the safety net.
Similarhurl, launch, fling, propel
4
nounUKcountable
A small Y-shaped stick with an elastic band, used to shoot stones.
Like a tiny bow that flings small stones.
The boy used his catapult to knock cans off the fence.
She kept a catapult in her back pocket for shooting at targets.
Similarslingshot
Note
5
nouncountable
A machine on a warship that helps planes speed up enough to take off.
Like a slingshot that gives a plane a strong push to fly.
The jet shot down the deck as the catapult flung it into the air.
Each catapult on the carrier launches planes one after another.
6
verbtransitive
To shoot a heavy object from a war machine that flings things.
Like flinging a rock with a giant slingshot.
Soldiers catapulted huge stones over the castle wall.
The crew could catapult a boulder more than a hundred yards.
Similarhurl, launch, fling, fire
7
verbintransitive
To rise quickly to a much higher level or position.
Like shooting straight up to the top in one quick move.
After the show, she catapulted to stardom.
Unknown bands can catapult to fame after one viral clip.
Similarrocket, shoot, soar, skyrocket
Oppositeplummet
Note
8
verbintransitive
To be thrown through the air with great force.
Like flying off a seesaw when someone jumps on the other end.
The driver catapulted through the windshield in the crash.
If the strap breaks, the rider can catapult over the handlebars.
Similarhurtle, fly, shoot, pitch
9
nounfigurativelycountable
A sudden event that quickly throws someone or something forward or upward.
Like one big push that sends you flying ahead.
The big win was a catapult into the championship rounds.
That role became her catapult to international fame.
Similarspringboard, launchpad
Note
10
nouncountable
A single act of shooting a missile from a war machine.
Like one throw from a giant slingshot.
The first catapult of the battle smashed a hole in the wall.
With one well-aimed catapult, the boulder cleared the rampart.
Similarvolley, shot

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Origin

From Latin catapulta, which came from Greek katapéltēs, meaning to throw a missile against something.