catapult

Everyday

1. A catapult is an old war machine that throws heavy stones or objects a long way. tree →
2. (UK) A catapult is a Y-shaped stick with a rubber band used to shoot small stones; in the USA it is called a slingshot. tree →
3. To catapult means to throw or launch something hard and fast. tree →
4. To be catapulted into something means to be moved suddenly into a new situation, as in «catapulted to fame». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons (sieges and castles), in DT and science (making catapults to test forces and energy), in stories; phrases: catapult into, catapulted to fame.

Examples

• The army used a catapult to throw stones at the castle walls. tree →
• We built a lolly-stick catapult in science. tree →
• He fired a pea from his catapult. tree →
• The crash catapulted him out of his seat. tree →
• The song catapulted the band to fame. tree →
• We measured how far the catapult could throw a marshmallow. tree →

Note

Countable. Past: catapulted. «Catapult» (UK) = «slingshot» (US). Safety: never aim a catapult at people or animals.