catapulte

catapult

noun kah-tah-PEWLT Rare

Origin: From Greek 'katapeltes' via Latin 'catapulta'.

Usage Note

Catapulte refers to the ancient siege weapon as well as modern aircraft carrier launch mechanisms — both use the same word in French. The verb catapulter means to catapult or to propel suddenly, and figuratively être catapulté means to be thrust unexpectedly into a role or position, a common journalistic use.

Examples

"Les soldats utilisaient une catapulte pour lancer des pierres."

Natural Translation

The soldiers used a catapult to hurl stones.

Free starter pack

Building your French vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

French Greetings: Bonjour, Salut, Coucou Explained

Bonjour, salut, or coucou? Pick the right French greeting every time with a simple two-axis guide to formality and time of day, plus how to say goodbye.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Liaison Rules: When to Link Words (and Not To)

French liaison links a silent final consonant to the next vowel. Learn the obligatory, forbidden, and optional rules, plus the s→z and d→t sound shifts.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Telling Time in French: Hours, Quarters, 24-Hour

Telling time in French means Il est cinq heures, et quart, et demie, and the 24-hour clock like quatorze heures trente. Read any French schedule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Café Culture: How to Order Like a Local

In a French café, un café means espresso, one drink rents the table for an hour, and you must ask for the bill. Order coffee like a local with these phrases.

June 4, 2026 7 min read