First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1launch
verb \ˈlȯnch, ˈlänch\
: to send or shoot (something, such as a rocket) into the air or water or into outer space
: to put (a boat or ship) on the water
: to throw (something) forward in a forceful way
Full Definition of LAUNCH
transitive verb
1
a : to throw forward : hurl b : to release, catapult, or send off (a self-propelled object) <launch a rocket>
2
intransitive verb
1
a : to spring forward : take off b : to enter energetically <launched into an impromptu speech — Timothy Tucker>
2
a archaic : to slide down the ways b : to make a start
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Origin of LAUNCH
Middle English, from Anglo-French *lancher, lancer, from Late Latin lanceare to wield a lance — more at lance
Related to LAUNCH
2launch
noun
3launch
noun
Definition of LAUNCH
1
: a large boat that operates from a ship
2
: a small motorboat that is open or that has the forepart of the hull covered
Origin of LAUNCH
Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish lancha, from Portuguese
First Known Use: 1697
LAUNCHING Defined for Kids
1launch
verb \ˈlȯnch\
launchedlaunch·ing
Definition of LAUNCH for Kids
1
: to throw or spring forward : hurl <McNab scooped up a handful of track stones. He launched one. — Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee>
2
: to send off especially with force <launch a spacecraft>
3
: to set afloat <launch a ship>
4
: to give a start to : begin <launch a plan>
2launch
noun
Definition of LAUNCH for Kids
: an act of launching <a rocket launch>
3launch
noun
Definition of LAUNCH for Kids
: a small open or partly covered motorboat
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