an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.
a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.
British. a slingshot.
verb (used with object)
to hurl from a catapult.
to thrust or move quickly or suddenly: His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.
British.
to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.
verb (used without object)
to be catapulted.
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.
Origin of catapult
1570–80; <Latin catapulta<Greek katapéltēs, equivalent to kata-cata- + péltēs hurler, akin to pállein to hurl
The 522 snap-together parts in Ubtech’s Jimu Competitive Series ChampBot Kit combine to create three different configurations, including this catapult.
These three robots can teach kids how to code|John Kennedy|September 17, 2020|Popular Science
You might not be able to toss huge stones, but you can build a catapult to throw a marshmallow or two.
Let’s learn about ancient technology|Bethany Brookshire|September 15, 2020|Science News For Students
But it was enough to catapult Davis into the national spotlight and raise immediate speculation about statewide office.
Wendy Davis Is (Probably) Running for Texas Governor|Caroline Linton|September 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But then you find yourself with the revenue to purchase that catapult you've been wanting.
Facebook After FarmVille|Ben Crair|May 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
You think that this tragedy has given you an opportunity to catapult you [sic] dinky blog and newspaper to new heights.
The Missing Murder Suspect|Rick Outzen|July 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Theyve stolen the catapult and set fire to the place, he remembered dizzily, and now theyre skipping out.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1931|Various
No moors for me this year: I'm back on the simple life and the catapult.
Foe-Farrell|Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch
We had a "spring gun" or "catapult" that came very near preventing this book ever being written.
"Over There" with the Australians|R. Hugh Knyvett
The principle of the balista that of the sling, of the catapult that of the bow.
Early Britain--Roman Britain|Edward Conybeare
He had a big catapult with him, so he put a stone in his catapult, and slick!
The Talking Thrush|William Crooke
British Dictionary definitions for catapult
catapult
/ (ˈkætəˌpʌlt) /
noun
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, etcUS and Canadian name: slingshot
a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc
a device installed in warships to launch aircraft
verb
(tr)to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult
(foll by over, into, etc) to move precipitatelyshe was catapulted to stardom overnight
Word Origin for catapult
C16: from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapeltēs, from kata- down + pallein to hurl