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catapult Meaning & Definition

/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/

What Does Catapult Mean?

As a noun, catapult means A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects. It is also used to mean A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck. As a verb, it means To fire a missile from a catapult.

Catapult: Key Facts

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/
Syllables3
Synonymssling, bricole and onager
Pluralcatapults
Verb formscatapults, catapulting, catapulted

Catapult Definition (Noun)

  1. A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
  2. A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
  3. A slingshot.
  4. An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
  5. An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.

Catapult as a Verb

  1. To fire a missile from a catapult.
  2. To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
  3. To increase the status of something rapidly.

    The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.

  4. To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
  5. To have one's status increased rapidly.

    She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.

Noun

  1. A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
  2. Slingshot

Synonyms of Catapult

Catapult synonyms and antonyms →

Catapult in a Sentence

The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.

She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate.

Word Forms & Grammar

catapult (plural catapults)

catapult (third-person singular simple present catapults, present participle catapulting, simple past and past participle catapulted)

Words That Rhyme With Catapult

Origin of Catapult

From Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek καταπέλτης (katapéltēs), from κατά (katá, “downwards, into, against”) + πάλλω (pállō, “to poise or sway a missile before it is thrown”). Doublet of catapulta.

Pronouncing Catapult

You say catapult as /ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/. It has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (kæ).

Frequently Asked Questions About Catapult

Is catapult a noun or a verb?

Catapult is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for catapult?

You can replace catapult with words such as sling, bricole and onager. See the full list of catapult synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of catapult?

The plural of catapult is catapults.

What is the past tense of catapult?

The past tense of catapult is catapulted. The present participle is catapulting.

More About Catapult On Meaning Stash

More Words Starting With “Cata”