noun a device used to launch or hurl a projectile a great distance
verb to launch or hurl something with a catapult
In military applications, a catapult is a device used to launch projectiles or aircrafts over a distance.
In engineering, a catapult is a type of mechanism used for launching objects with great force or speed.
In physics, a catapult can be used as an example of a simple machine that utilizes stored energy to launch an object.
In aeronautics, a catapult is used on aircraft carriers to launch planes into the air with the help of a steam-powered catapult system.
In historical contexts, catapults were used as siege weapons in ancient warfare to hurl stones or other projectiles at enemy fortifications.
In the field of writing, 'catapult' may be used metaphorically to describe how a certain event or action propels the plot forward or launches a character into a new situation.
Psychologists may use 'catapult' as a metaphor for a sudden breakthrough in therapy or a significant change in a patient's behavior or mindset.
Engineers may refer to a catapult as a type of mechanical device used for launching objects over a distance, such as in the design of a trebuchet or ballista.
In marketing, 'catapult' may be used to describe a strategy or campaign that quickly gains widespread attention or propels a brand to new heights of success.
Athletes may use 'catapult' to describe a sudden burst of energy or power that propels them forward, such as in the context of a sprinter exploding out of the starting blocks.