launch

¹

[ lawnch, lahnch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to set (a boat or ship) in the water.
2. to float (a newly constructed boat or ship) usually by allowing to slide down inclined ways into the water.
3. 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.

4. to start (a person) on a course, career, etc.
5. to set going; initiate:

   to launch a scheme.

   Synonyms: institute, inaugurate

6. to throw; hurl:

   to launch a spear.

7. to start (a new venture) or promote (a new product):

   They launched a new breakfast cereal.

8. Computers. to start (a software program).

verb (used without object)

1. to burst out or plunge boldly or directly into action, speech, etc.
2. to start out or forth; push out or put forth on the water.

noun

1. the act of launching.

launch

²

[ lawnch, lahnch ]

noun

1. a heavy open or half-decked boat propelled by oars or by an engine.
2. a large utility boat carried by a warship.

launch

¹

/ lɔːntʃ /

noun

1. a motor driven boat used chiefly as a transport boat
2. the largest of the boats of a man-of-war

launch

²

/ lɔːntʃ /

verb

1. to move (a vessel) into the water
2. to move (a newly built vessel) into the water for the first time
3. tr
   1. to start off or set in motion

      to launch a scheme

   2. to put (a new product) on the market
4. tr to propel with force
5. to involve (oneself) totally and enthusiastically

   to launch oneself into work

6. tr to set (a missile, spacecraft, etc) into motion
7. tr to catapult (an aircraft), as from the deck of an aircraft carrier
8. intrfoll byinto to start talking or writing (about)

   he launched into a story

9. intrusually foll byout to start (out) on a fresh course
10. informal.
    intrusually foll byout to spend a lot of money

noun

1. an act or instance of launching

Other Words From

• launcha·ble adjective
• un·launched adjective
• well-launched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of launch¹

First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English launche, from Anglo-French lancher, from Late Latin lanceāre “to wield a lance”; lance ¹

Origin of launch²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of launch¹

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

Origin of launch²

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

Example Sentences

All these efforts helped launch Tanton’s words and arguments into the flea market of American ideas.

From Salon

The book launch for Roberts’ “Dawn’s Early Light” was originally scheduled for release on Sept. 24 of this year.

From Salon

It cited examples such as a three-piece razor set and an "elegant necklace, bracelet, and earring set" available at just under three dollars each in a press release about the launch.

From BBC

"We know that on day one he is going to launch the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in American history," she said.

From BBC

Two years after its launch, Amazon’s free ad-supported streaming service Freevee is shutting down, the company confirmed this week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commence
• inaugurate
• institute
• introduce
• open
• start