Definition of "catapult"

catapult

/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/

noun
plural catapults
1. A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
2. A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
3. (UK) A slingshot.
4. An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.
5. (figuratively) An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.
  Quotations
  The visitors were given notice of what was to come when Huth headed wide from a Rory Delap long throw but failed to heed the warning, allowing the German defender to rise unmarked to meet another Delap catapult and plant his header into the net after 12 minutes.
  2011 March 13, Chris Bevan, “Stoke 2 - 1 West Ham”, in BBC‎
verb
third-person singular simple present catapults, present participle catapulting, simple past and past participle catapulted
1. (transitive) To fire a missile from a catapult.
2. (transitive) To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.
3. (transitive) To increase the status of something rapidly.
  Quotations
  I was catapulted without preparation into the most difficult job any mortal man can hold. My duties would not wait a week, or a day, or even an hour.
  1971, Lyndon Johnson, “The Beginning”, in The Vantage Point‎, Holt, Reinhart & Winston, page 12
  England will not be catapulted among the favourites for Euro 2012 as a result of this win, but no victory against Spain is earned easily and it is right they take great heart from their efforts as they now prepare to play Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday.
  2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport‎
4. (intransitive) To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.
5. (intransitive) To have one's status increased rapidly.