catapult
verb · noun
Simple meaning
A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
katuhpuhltSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈkætəpəlt
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
transitive
To fire a missile from a catapult.
transitive
To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult
“The enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort.”
intransitive
To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
transitive
To increase the status of something rapidly.
intransitive
To have one's status increased rapidly.
noun
A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
A device that launches aircraft from a warship
A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
uk
A slingshot.
An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient (estimated)
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Typical Use
- Primarily written
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More ways to use catapult
- “The enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort.”verb
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.