as in pad
an area from which a rocket is launched
—often used figuratively
The TV cameras were focused on the launchpad as the time for liftoff approached. The program she hosted on local radio was the launchpad for her network career.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of launchpad
Having originally been a spokesperson for the brand back in the ’80s, a role that served as the launchpad for her career as a supermodel, Porizkova has now come full circle.
—
Jessica Diner, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the rocket fell to the ground within moments of leaving the launchpad.
—Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And also for the discovery within the industry, so these first-time filmmakers who come to Rotterdam can use it as this launchpad into the film industry, as a place to find the right partners and the right collaborators for their work.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
The vehicle’s first test mission notably blew up a launchpad in South Texas, causing a blizzard of debris and sparking backlash from environmentalists.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for launchpad 
Jessica Diner, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the rocket fell to the ground within moments of leaving the launchpad.
—Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
And also for the discovery within the industry, so these first-time filmmakers who come to Rotterdam can use it as this launchpad into the film industry, as a place to find the right partners and the right collaborators for their work.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
The vehicle’s first test mission notably blew up a launchpad in South Texas, causing a blizzard of debris and sparking backlash from environmentalists.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
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And the Dennis Gross peel pads that some of us have been in a steady relationship with for over two decades now?—
Sam Escobar,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
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Little ones will love the splash pads and water slide area that’s just their size, and the whole family can bob around in the wave pool.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In addition, general aviation airports are the single most important infrastructure element to support supply lines during a disaster such as the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.—
John Carr,
The Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2025
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The weather service warned Saturday that dense fog near airports in Louisiana may complicate arrivals for fans traveling to New Orleans for Sunday’s game.—
Artemis Moshtaghian,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The airfield is used by Russia's military station its Tu-95MS and Tu-160 jets, which launch cruise missile strikes against Ukraine and are nuclear-capable.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
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Fritz circled the airfield, in an attempt to get the birds to fall in behind.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The aim is to commercialize both piloted and autonomous civilian aircraft and the $1.4 billion will be spent creating a city-wide infrastructure for flying vehicles, with over 100 take-off and landing points in Guangzhou, a large general aviation aerodrome and a fleet of airborne taxis.—
Mike Hanlon,
New Atlas,
13 Aug. 2024
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And a huge concrete area that looked like an aerodrome was awaiting rebuilding as a new suburb.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 May 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near launchpad
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
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