1. A plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones
   "The boys used their catapults to launch pebbles at tin cans";
   - slingshot, sling
    
2. A device that launches aircraft from a warship
   "The fighter jet was propelled into the air by the aircraft carrier's steam catapult";
   - launcher
    
3. An engine that provided medieval artillery used during sieges; a heavy war engine for hurling large stones and other missiles
   "The besieging army used catapults to launch boulders at the city walls"

1. Shoot forth or launch, as if from a catapult
   "the enemy catapulted rocks towards the fort"
    
2. Hurl as if with a sling
   "He catapulted the paper aeroplane across the room";
   - sling

Derived forms: catapults, catapulting, catapulted

Type of: cast, device, engine, hurl, hurtle, impel, plaything, propel, toy

Encyclopedia: Catapult