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Added 9 October 2026

catapult

/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/ noun

In Latin: catapulta Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about catapult at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
A slingshot.

verb

To fire a missile from a catapult.
To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
To increase the status of something rapidly.
The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene.

Origin

From Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Ancient Greek καταπέλτης (katapéltēs), from κατά (katá, “downwards, into, against”) + πάλλω (pállō, “to poise or sway a missile before it is thrown”). Doublet of catapulta.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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