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

For the high schooler, that catapult to fame coincided with the onset of crippling panic attacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of catapulting themselves into exceedingly soft portions of their schedules, both teams stumbled to equally disappointing results.

From Los Angeles Times

Within minutes, some of Brahim's neighbours from the surrounding farms and villages gather with catapults and stones to confront the attackers.

From BBC

Now, it seemed as though China had catapulted to the forefront.

From BBC

"I get catapulted back – emotionally, everything. I'm back in the room. I'm back in the wake with his body – because it's the last place he was for me."

From BBC

Related Words

• slingshot