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.

• ""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."