catapult

/ˈkætəˌpʌlt/
verb
  1. To throw or launch something with or as if with a catapult.
    • The machine catapulted tennis balls across the court for practice.
    • He catapulted the pebble into the pond with a slingshot.
    • The storm catapulted debris onto the roof.
  2. To suddenly move someone or something into a much higher or more powerful position.
    • Her excellent exam results catapulted her to the top of the class.
    • The viral video catapulted the singer to stardom overnight.
    • A lucky break catapulted the small startup into a major corporation.
noun
  1. An ancient weapon used for launching stones, arrows, or other projectiles.
    • In history class, we built a small model of a catapult using rubber bands and a spoon.
    • The catapult could launch a heavy stone several hundred feet.
    • The Roman army used a catapult to hurl rocks over the city walls.
  2. A modern device that launches something, such as an aircraft from a ship or a toy projectile.
    • The fighter jet was launched from the aircraft carrier using a steam catapult.
    • The carnival game had a catapult that launched beanbags at a target.
    • Kids played with a toy catapult that shot soft foam balls across the yard.
  3. Something that suddenly propels someone or something into a new situation or state.
    • Her first hit song was a catapult to international fame.
    • Winning the lottery was a catapult to a life of luxury.
    • The new technology acted as a catapult for the company's growth.
What does "catapult" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean