Meaning & use
trebuchet
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountablemilitarytechnical
A large medieval siege engine that threw heavy stones or other projectiles by means of a long swinging arm and falling counterweight.
Grammar: Takes a plural when you mean more than one: several trebuchets.
Patterns
- a trebuchet hurls something
- use a trebuchet against something
- a counterweight trebuchet
- the trebuchet fires
The defenders repaired the wall after each stone struck by the trebuchet.
A counterweight trebuchet could break stone walls that arrows could not reach.
The museum model shows how a trebuchet drops its weight and swings the arm.
nouncountabletechnical
A modern reconstruction, model, or competitive version of this engine, built to demonstrate physics or launch objects in contests.
Grammar: Usually countable when referring to one built machine; use the plural for events with many teams.
Patterns
- build a trebuchet
- enter a trebuchet competition
- a trebuchet launch
Physics students built a small trebuchet to test how arm length affects range.
At the pumpkin festival, each trebuchet was judged for distance and accuracy.
The club safety rules required every trebuchet launch to be cleared by marshals.
Word forms
| plural | trebuchets |
|---|
Common combinations
- medieval trebuchet
- A medieval trebuchet could weigh many tons and need a trained crew.
- counterweight trebuchet
- The counterweight trebuchet stores energy as the box falls.
- build a trebuchet
- We plan to build a trebuchet from timber, rope, and a release pin.
- operate a trebuchet
- It took practice to operate a trebuchet without snapping the sling.
- under trebuchet fire
- The garrison endured a week under trebuchet fire before surrendering.
Synonyms and how they differ
- catapult
- Broader term for any throwing engine; a catapult usually uses tension or torsion rather than a falling counterweight.
- mangonel
- A torsion-powered siege engine like a large twisted-rope catapult; less powerful and simpler than a trebuchet.
- siege engine
- A general word for any machine used to attack fortifications, including rams and towers as well as throwers.
Commonly confused: trebuchet or catapult?
trebuchet vs catapult
A catapult is the general machine learners often picture; a trebuchet is a specific type driven mainly by a counterweight and sling.
Practice
Which part gave a classic trebuchet most of its launching power?
Choose one answer.
A trebuchet is defined by gravity pulling down a counterweight, so option 2 fits. A stretched or twisted rope belongs more to catapults and mangonels, while gunpowder and steam are later technologies.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trebuchet”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.