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

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

“Hey, your guy just ran over 20 miles an hour in the catapult vest,” Gunderson wrote, referring to equipment that tracks performance.

From Los Angeles Times

Ifill’s sheepish comparison helped catapult Kamala Harris’ profile and gave her new credibility.

From Los Angeles Times

He is hugely popular in the US and Japan, but a World Series success could catapult him to global stardom and cement his status as baseball's greatest of all time.

From BBC

Daniel Dubois sensationally dismantled fellow Briton Anthony Joshua in five rounds to catapult himself into global sporting stardom in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

From BBC

Related Words

• slingshot