Dictionary Home »
Webster's New World College Dictionary » catapult
catapult
catapult definition
cata·pult (kat′ə pult′, -po̵olt′)
noun
- an ancient military contrivance powered by either torsion or tension used for throwing or shooting stones, spears, etc.
- Brit. a slingshot
- a type of launcher that provides the force to hurl an airplane, missile, etc. from a deck or ramp to provide an initial high speed
- a device for ejecting a person from an airplane
Etymology: L catapulta < Gr katapeltēs < kata-, down, against + base of pallein, to toss, hurl
transitive verb
to shoot or launch from or as from a catapult; hurl
intransitive verb
to be catapulted; move quickly; leap
Browse dictionary definitions near catapult
Also Mentioned In