Ballista: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe an ancient weapon that resembles a large crossbow and is designed for shooting large projectiles, like rocks or spear-sized arrows, often employed in historical or fantasy military contexts.

• The army prepared the ballista for the upcoming siege, ensuring its bolts were ready to launch at the enemy walls.
• In the medieval reenactment, the ballista was one of the highlights, showcasing how ancient armies breached fortifications.

Describes a weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles, typically bolts. It is often used in contexts involving hunting, medieval warfare, or modern sports shooting.

• The hunter aimed his crossbow at the deer, steadying his breath before releasing the bolt.
• In medieval battles, a skilled crossbowman could take down an enemy from a great distance.

Used to refer to a device that hurls objects, such as stones, into the air, often associated with historical warfare. It is frequently used to describe similar modern devices in educational or playful contexts.

• The students built a small catapult in physics class to study projectile motion.
• During the siege, the soldiers used a catapult to launch boulders over the enemy's walls.

A general term for any large weapon or device used to break or circumvent city walls and other fortifications during a siege, often associated with historical military engineering.

• The invaders constructed multiple siege engines to breach the castle's defenses.
• Learning about siege engines, like battering rams and trebuchets, provided insight into ancient warfare techniques.