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Definition of "catapult" [cat•a•pult]

  • A military machine for hurling missiles, such as large stones or spears, used in ancient and medieval times. (noun)
  • A mechanism for launching aircraft at a speed sufficient for flight, as from the deck of a carrier. (noun)
  • A slingshot. (noun)
  • To hurl or launch from or as if from a catapult. (verb-transitive)
  • To become catapulted; spring or bolt. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "catapult" in a sentence
  • ""Now, why do I think that's not what we mean by the term catapult?""
  • "Seven pointers to help you catapult from the slush pile"
  • "They bring the aircraft into position, get them ready to be attached to that incredibly strong catapult, which is operated by a huge steam piston underneath the deck here."