launcher

American

[lawn-cher, lahn-] / ˈlɔn tʃər, ˈlɑn- /

noun

a person or thing that launches.
a structural device designed to support and hold a missile in position for firing.

launcher British

/ ˈlɔːntʃə /

noun

any installation, vehicle, or other device for launching rockets, missiles, or other projectiles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

launchers

plural

Etymology

Origin of launcher

First recorded in 1815–25; launch ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Bremen, the European Launcher Challenge received more than 900 million euros in contributions -- twice what had been proposed, Aschbacher said.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

The Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher, or E.A.R.L., which simulates different pin placement and ball-throwing scenarios, was used to develop string pinsetter technology.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2023

Those bidders include three aerospace companies — Rocket Lab, Stratolaunch and Vast Space subsidiary Launcher — with combined bids totaling almost $36 million, according to court documents.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2023

Another space company, Launcher Inc, bought Virgin Orbit's launch site and lease in the Mojave desert for $2.7m.

From BBC • May 24, 2023

And is all well, O Thou Unweariable Launcher of worlds upon bewildered space," Rose in me, "All? or did thy hand grow dull Building this world that bears a piteous race?

From Many Gods by Rice, Cale Young

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023