Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

catapult

/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.01 in modern English

Syllables
cat-a-pult
IPA
/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/
12
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A slingshot.

British usage

noun

An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.

noun

An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.

verb

To fire a missile from a catapult.

Transitive verb

verb

To fire or launch something, as if from a catapult.

Transitive verb

verb

To increase the status of something rapidly.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

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.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce catapult?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/.
What does catapult mean?
A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
Where does catapult come from?
It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce catapult

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “catapult”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkæ.tə.pʌlt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “catapult”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “catapult” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.