launch

[ lawnch, lahnch ]

/ lɔntʃ, lɑntʃ /

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See synonyms for: launch / launched / launching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to set (a boat or ship) in the water.

to float (a newly constructed boat or ship) usually by allowing to slide down inclined ways into the water.

to send forth, catapult, or release, as a self-propelled vehicle or weapon: Rockets were launched midway in the battle.The submarine launched its torpedoes and dived rapidly.

to start (a person) on a course, career, etc.

to set going; initiate: to launch a scheme.

to throw; hurl: to launch a spear.

to start (a new venture) or promote (a new product): They launched a new breakfast cereal.

Computers. to start (a software program).

verb (used without object)

to burst out or plunge boldly or directly into action, speech, etc.

to start out or forth; push out or put forth on the water.

noun

the act of launching.

OTHER WORDS FOR launch

5 inaugurate, institute.

See synonyms for launch on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of launch

First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English launche, from Anglo-French lancher, from Late Latin lanceāre “to wield a lance”; see lance¹

OTHER WORDS FROM launch

launch·a·ble, adjectiveun·launched, adjectivewell-launched, adjective

Other definitions for launch (2 of 2)

launch²

[ lawnch, lahnch ]

/ lɔntʃ, lɑntʃ /

noun

a heavy open or half-decked boat propelled by oars or by an engine.

a large utility boat carried by a warship.

Origin of launch

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Spanish, Portuguese lancha, earlier Portuguese lanchara, first attested in 1515 in an account of boats encountered near the Strait of Malacca; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Malay lancharan, derivative of lanchar “swift,” unless modern Malay lancha is from Portuguese

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use launch in a sentence

To reduce this launch title as a mere remake of a PlayStation 3 game is to sell short this astounding achievement by Bluepoint Games.
‘Demon’s Souls’ review: The ideal PlayStation 5 launch game|Gene Park|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The launch took place from the company's facility on New Zealand's Mahia Peninsula and in many respects was uneventful.
RocketLab’s “Return to Sender” launch does exactly what was promised|John Timmer|November 20, 2020|Ars Technica
New Zealand company Rocket Lab has hit a key milestone with the successful launch and recovery of its flagship Electron rocket.
Rocket Lab has successfully recovered a booster for the first time|Neel Patel|November 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Considering that WarnerMedia is not looking to limit HBO Max’s advertiser base at launch, it seems reasonable that WarnerMedia would allow Amazon access to HBO Max’s inventory in order to fill the service’s ad slots.
‘We get nothing’: Media companies want more detailed audience, revenue breakdowns from free, ad-supported streaming TV platforms|Tim Peterson|November 18, 2020|Digiday

While she was tight-lipped about what brands would appear at Kohl’s, or what gap in the market Ulta or Target don’t fill, she pointed to the recent launch of a beauty line by Lauren Conrad, the name behind one of Kohl’s major apparel store brands.
Kohl’s CEO insists its supersize beauty shops can compete with the new Ulta/Target partnership|Phil Wahba|November 17, 2020|Fortune
He created his own crowd-funding platform for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which has yet to be launched.
Design Your Own Dinosaur: The Era of Custom DNA|Justin Jones|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The American military may have launched hundreds of airstrikes on Iraq and Syria.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. launched campaigns in the restive Iraqi city of Fallujah and a surge campaign in Baghdad.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Launched just 13 years ago, it quickly became a serious rival to MAS and a rising juggernaut in Asia.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On one night earlier this month, the coalition launched 30 strikes on the town.
Did ISIS Shoot Down a Fighter Jet?|Jamie Dettmer, Christopher Dickey|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The vicar's wife, still slightly discomposed, launched out into some parochial matter she had wished to mention to him.
Uncanny Tales|Various
To get rid of our lamentations, the captain launched out in praises of the charming little town, and had us conveyed to land.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
He launched into a long explanation of some scheme he had in mind for securing automatic balancing.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Mr. Wheaton had launched forth upon one particularly stormy night when he happened to be Gwynne's only guest.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The canoes were launched after breakfast, and it was afternoon when they pitched camp beside a still, blue lake.
The Gold Trail|Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for launch (1 of 2)

launch¹

/ (lɔːntʃ) /

verb

to move (a vessel) into the water

to move (a newly built vessel) into the water for the first time

(tr)

to start off or set in motionto launch a scheme
to put (a new product) on the market

(tr) to propel with force

to involve (oneself) totally and enthusiasticallyto launch oneself into work

(tr) to set (a missile, spacecraft, etc) into motion

(tr) to catapult (an aircraft), as from the deck of an aircraft carrier

(intr foll by into) to start talking or writing (about)he launched into a story

(intr usually foll by out) to start (out) on a fresh course

(intr usually foll by out) informal to spend a lot of money

noun

an act or instance of launching

Word Origin for launch

C14: from Anglo-French lancher, from Late Latin lanceāre to use a lance, hence, to set in motion. See lance

British Dictionary definitions for launch (2 of 2)

launch²

/ (lɔːntʃ) /

noun

a motor driven boat used chiefly as a transport boat

the largest of the boats of a man-of-war

Word Origin for launch

C17: via Spanish lancha and Portuguese from Malay lancharan boat, from lanchar speed

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

launch

OTHER WORDS FOR launch

Origin of launch

OTHER WORDS FROM launch

Other definitions for launch (2 of 2)

Origin of launch

Words related to launch

How to use launch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for launch (1 of 2)

Word Origin for launch

British Dictionary definitions for launch (2 of 2)

Word Origin for launch