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View synonyms for launch

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

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Other Words From

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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

An arrow appears indicating the direction you will launch your ball.

With those words was a promise to launch the first group of passengers in the coming year.

And, with Coca-Cola announcing the launch of a new milk product, the beverage could be back in our hands before we know it.

He argues persuasively that the decision to launch the attack was completely contrary to reason and good military judgment.

Instead, they saw music videos as a launch pad for a whole new artistic movement: virality.

The launch was about twenty feet long with a small cabin and a fresh coat of brown paint.

There I deal direct with the San Francisco buyers—and in this launch; it serves me very well as an office.

He lost his head as the lower gates swung open, and broke the rule of the river by pushing out in front of a launch.

The launch was already under way, and young Cargill trying to avoid it better, thrust with his boat-hook at the side of the lock.

Gwynne turned with a start and found that Isabel had run her launch up to a little pier.

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