launcher

American  

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

noun

1. a person or thing that launches. launch.

2. a structural device designed to support and hold a missile in position for firing.

---

ˈlauncher British  

/ ˈlɔːntʃə /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of launcher

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

Example Sentences

Musk and SpaceX also aim to develop a city on the moon, along with factories and a satellite launcher.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Made by US company Lockheed Martin, the anti-missile system includes six mounted launchers, with eight interceptors on each launcher, and a radar system for detection.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Just as with mass-market AI, users can bore into results with queries, such as to identify every missile launcher located near a hospital.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

RTX, whose Raytheon division produces the launcher unit itself, didn’t return a request for comment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Among the grunts, some carried the M-79 grenade launcher, 5.9 pounds unloaded, a reasonably light weapon except for the ammunition, which was heavy.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien