noun: (countable) One of the rockets used for the above purpose.
noun: An auxiliary jet engine in a detachable unit that provides extra power for the takeoff of an aircraft
noun: A takeoff assisted by such a unit
noun: A RATO unit or RATO takeoff - a rocket assisted take-off
noun: (uncountable) Acronym of jet-assisted takeoff, a method of using booster rockets to allow heavily-loaded aircraft to lift off more quickly and use less runway length for takeoff.