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an ancient military engine for hurling stones, arrows, etc.
a device for launching an airplane from the deck of a ship.
British. a slingshot.
to hurl from a catapult.
to thrust or move quickly or suddenly:
His brilliant performance in the play catapulted him to stardom.
British.

to hurl (a missile) from a slingshot.
to hit (an object) with a missile from a slingshot.

to be catapulted.
to move or spring up suddenly, quickly, or forcibly, as if by means of a catapult:
The car catapulted down the highway. When he heard the alarm he catapulted out of bed.
Contemporary Examples

But it was enough to catapult Davis into the national spotlight and raise immediate speculation about statewide office.
Wendy Davis Is (Probably) Running for Texas Governor Caroline Linton September 25, 2013

But then you find yourself with the revenue to purchase that catapult you’ve been wanting.
Facebook After FarmVille Ben Crair May 9, 2011

You think that this tragedy has given you an opportunity to catapult you [sic] dinky blog and newspaper to new heights.
The Missing Murder Suspect Rick Outzen July 30, 2009

Historical Examples

For instance we will make a sort of catapult by means of this ruler.
For the Honor of Randall Lester Chadwick

Juve shot his answer at the lieutenant, like a stone from a catapult.
A Nest of Spies Pierre Souvestre

A young carpenter, who has some archaeological notions, proposes to construct a catapult.
The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 2 (of 6) Hippolyte A. Taine

Is it the thought of Wolsey which makes him frown—or is he wondering where he left his catapult?
Once a Week Alan Alexander Milne

The catapult was turned about toward us, and lashed tightly to stakes driven in front and behind.
Pharaoh’s Broker Ellsworth Douglass

And he knew that at any moment this beast might come at him as if discharged from a catapult.
Diamond Dyke George Manville Fenn

Then the door was pushed open violently and Bolt entered like a stone propelled from a catapult.
The Grell Mystery Frank Froest

noun
a Y-shaped implement with a loop of elastic fastened to the ends of the two prongs, used mainly by children for shooting small stones, etc US and Canadian name slingshot
a heavy war engine used formerly for hurling stones, etc
a device installed in warships to launch aircraft
verb
(transitive) to shoot forth from or as if from a catapult
foll by over, into, etc. to move precipitately: she was catapulted to stardom overnight
n.

1570s, from Middle French catapulte and directly from Latin catapulta “war machine for throwing,” from Greek katapeltes, from kata “against” (see cata-) + base of pallein “to toss, hurl” (see pulse (n.1)). As an airplane-launching device on an aircraft-carrier by 1927.
v.

1848, “to throw with a catapult,” from catapult (n.). Intransitive sense by 1928. Related: Catapulted; catapulting.