Meaning

• A device or weapon for throwing or launching large objects, such as a mechanical aid on aircraft carriers designed to help airplanes take off from the flight deck.

• Slingshot

• An instance of firing a missile from a catapult.

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

Meaning

• To fire a missile from a catapult.

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

• To increase the status of something rapidly.

  "The candidate selection for running mate has catapulted her to the national scene."

• To be fired from a catapult or as if from a catapult.

• To have one's status increased rapidly.

  "She catapulted to the national scene following her selection by the candidate."