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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Recent Examples of launchpad
The Thing With Feathers becomes the latest example that validates Sundance as still a good launchpad for indie fare, though sellers and buyers have to be patient, and the numbers fall as time goes on.
—
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Where to watch: Max ‘Revelations’ Netflix has become a launchpad for intriguing, genre-bending Korean shows and movies.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Networks forged through a multi-year college experience should be a launchpad to financial success, social mobility, and a better future, shaping the trajectory of a person’s career and life in ways that a job straight out of high school can’t replicate.
—Judy D. Olian, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
The arrival of the W124-generation E-Class — the first Mercedes to use that name — proved an ideal launchpad for their vision.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Where to watch: Max ‘Revelations’ Netflix has become a launchpad for intriguing, genre-bending Korean shows and movies.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Networks forged through a multi-year college experience should be a launchpad to financial success, social mobility, and a better future, shaping the trajectory of a person’s career and life in ways that a job straight out of high school can’t replicate.
—Judy D. Olian, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
The arrival of the W124-generation E-Class — the first Mercedes to use that name — proved an ideal launchpad for their vision.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for launchpad
Recent Examples of Synonyms for launchpad
Noun
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Bezos strapped in for Blue Origin’s first space tourist flight in 2021 and accompanied the latest crew to the pad.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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At an altitude of about 45 miles, the crew capsule is then released to continue soaring out of the lower atmosphere on its own, while the reusable booster heads back down to Earth to land on a nearby pad.—
Jennifer Earl, Analisa Novak,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What Really Happens When Passengers Ignore Law Enforcement If Andre and English had moved on past the officers, the result might have been exactly what happened to flyer David C. at the Cincinnati airport.—
Andrew Wimer,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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After arriving at the Westchester airport, Aube-Kubel approached his former foe on the team plane.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ukraine launched dozens of drones over large swathes of Russia overnight Monday, with three military airfields said to be among the targets.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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The airport expects to complete Concourse D renovations by fall 2026 and spring 2027 for Concourse E. For airfield operations, Charlotte Douglas commissioned its North End Around Taxiway project in January.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Its population — estimated at 18 in 2019 — consists only of Norwegian military personnel who operate its military aerodrome and meteorological station.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Launchpad.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/launchpad. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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