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. 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 US and Canadian nameslingshot
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. foll byover, into, etc to move precipitately

   she was catapulted to stardom overnight

Other Words From

• cata·pultic 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

With those roles, Murray catapulted into a star, a heartthrob with a capital H. He became a fixture of the tabloids and every teen girl’s crush, with his winning smile, bad-boy charm and tattoos.

From Los Angeles Times

Even before she was catapulted to the top of the ticket, Harris had sought to frame the race as a referendum on Trump, not Biden.

From BBC

The 37-year-old university lecturer's routine catapulted her to global attention and ridicule, spawned conspiracy theories about her qualification, and reignited criticism of breaking's inclusion in the Olympics.

From BBC

While Prograis has two world titles from a stellar career, Catterall - although only four years younger than the American - has yet to truly catapult himself into conversations about elite fighters despite undoubted talent.

From BBC

The band enjoyed massive success, catapulting Pellow into a heartthrob - a status that remains decades on.

From BBC

Related Words

• slingshot