1
a catapult for doing sth
catapult 作名词时为可数名词，复数直接加 -s；也可指弩炮或弹射器。
He built a small catapult for launching paper balls.
他做了一个小弹弓，用来发射纸团。
弹弓
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
弹弓
a toy consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms, used for shooting small stones
He built a small catapult for launching paper balls.
他做了一个小弹弓，用来发射纸团。
指Y形弹弓玩具，区别于“弹射器”“弩炮”。
投掷或发射大型物体的装置或武器
A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects.
由Y形棍和弹性材料组成的玩具,用于发射小石子
a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones
航空母舰上帮助飞机起飞的机械装置
A mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.
用于从军舰上发射飞机的装置
a device that launches aircraft from a warship
The boy used a catapult to shoot small stones across the yard.
那个男孩用弹弓把小石子射过院子。
My grandfather made a catapult from a Y-shaped branch and an old rubber band.
我祖父用一根Y形树枝和一条旧橡皮筋做了一把弹弓。
Please don't aim your catapult at the windows.
请不要把你的弹弓对准窗户。
catapult 作名词时为可数名词，复数直接加 -s；也可指弩炮或弹射器。
He built a small catapult for launching paper balls.
他做了一个小弹弓，用来发射纸团。
作及物动词时，catapult 的过去式和过去分词均为 catapulted，常接宾语和表方向的介词短语。
The force of the crash catapulted him through the window.
撞击的力量把他从窗口抛了出去。
Not this
The machine catapulted stones on the wall.
Use this
The machine catapulted stones at the wall.
表示用弹射器向某个目标投掷时，介词应用 at 表示瞄准的对象；on 表示在物体表面，语义不准确。
Not this
Her success catapulted her to become famous.
Use this
Her success catapulted her to fame.
catapult 作及物动词时，后面接表示终点或状态的介词短语（如 to fame / into stardom），不能用不定式 to become… 作补足语。
Not this
The soldiers catapulted at the enemy all day.
Use this
The soldiers catapulted stones at the enemy all day.
catapult 作“发射”讲是及物动词，必须有直接宾语（如 stones、rocks）；省略宾语会让句子缺少动作承受者，原意不清。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
一举成名
Her debut single catapulted the singer to fame.
她的首支单曲让这位歌手一举成名。
弹射进入轨道
The spacecraft was catapulted into orbit around Mars.
航天器被弹射进入环绕火星的轨道。
跃居领先位置
A strong finish catapulted the team into the lead.
最后阶段的强劲表现使该队跃居领先位置。
弹射起飞
The new fighter performed a catapult launch from the carrier.
新型战斗机从航母上进行了弹射起飞。
中世纪弩炮
A medieval catapult could hurl stones over castle walls.
中世纪的弩炮可以把石块投过城墙。
使某人一举成名
Her role in the movie catapulted her to international fame.
她在电影中的角色使她一举成名，享誉国际。
突然成为公众关注的焦点
After the viral video, the young singer was catapulted into the limelight.
那段视频走红后，这位年轻歌手突然成为公众关注的焦点。
迅速走向成功
The new product catapulted the small company to success.
新产品使这家小公司迅速走向成功。
Use catapult naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想：cat(猫)+apult(拉)，拉开弹弓把猫弹射出去——弹射器/发射。
语域：neutral 常见场景：children's play、everyday conversation、describing toys 本项讨论的是名词义项“弹弓/玩具弹射器”（Y 形木棍加皮筋的小玩具），多用于日常口语或谈论童年玩具的场合，语气中性偏口语；在正式或技术性写作中较少使用。
catapult 的末尾拼作 -pult，读作 /ˌpʌlt/。列出的词都含末尾拼写 -ult：其中 result、insult（动词读法 /ɪnˈsʌlt/）、consult、cult 及美式 adult /əˈdʌlt/ 与 /ʌlt/ 押韵；注意 adult 也有英式重读第一音节的 /ˈædʌlt/，此时不押韵，insult 作名词读 /ˈɪnsʌlt/ 时重音也在前，也不押韵。tumult /ˈtjuːmʌlt/ 虽同含 -ult，但重音在首音节，不是真正的押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.