launch

1 of 3

verb

ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
ˈlänch
launched; launching; launches

transitive verb

1
a
: to throw forward : hurl
launched an arrow at a target
b
: to release, catapult, or send off (a self-propelled object)
launch a rocket
2
a
: to set (a boat or ship) afloat
b
: to give (a person) a start
launched her on a new career
c(1)
: to put into operation or set in motion : initiate, introduce
launch a business
launch a fund drive
(2)
: to get off to a good start
a literary dinner to launch the bookNewsweek
d
: to load into a computer's memory and run
launch a program

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring forward : take off
The catapult snagged and the plane overturned before it could launch.
b
: to enter energetically
launched into an impromptu speechTim Tucker
2
a
archaic : to slide down the ways
b
: to make a start
had launched on his hour of studyHallam Tennyson

launch

2 of 3

noun (1)

: an act or instance of launching

launch

3 of 3

noun (2)

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

Examples of launch in a Sentence

Verb The enemy launched an attack at sunrise. She's trying to launch a new career as a singer. The police have launched an investigation into his activities. He helped launch her in her career as a singer. The company is expected to launch several new products next year. You can launch the program by double-clicking on the icon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
United is also expanding closer to home and launched nearly 20 percent more flights to Florida this past winter along with more nonstop flights to popular ski destinations like Jackson Hole, Vail, Steamboat, Telluride, and Big Sky. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 Ahead of the release of their new album, Vampire Weekend have launched a podcast. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024 The Transportation Security Administration is launching the pilot phase of an autonomous self-screening checkpoint system. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 Not long after Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, McConnell traveled to Kyiv, to express his solidarity with that people under siege. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024 Chip and Joanna have been very busy during the past decade, launching their network, Magnolia, and turning sleepy Waco, Texas, into a destination point for throngs of fans. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 The following weeks were filled with a caustic exchange of letters between the universities, including one from prominent SDSU boosters demanding that BYU launch an internal investigation. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Others have wondered whether Haley plans to launch a third-party bid. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 This fall, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 16 series, including two new Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. David Phelan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024
Noun
Sabyasachi dinner On Thursday, Saks and Indian luxury brand Sabyasachi hosted an exclusive evening in Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of Sabyasachi’s limited-time pop-up at Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Starbucks is ringing in spring a few weeks early with the launch of two new lavender drinks. Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 That follows the launch of BYD’s Yuan Plus crossover—known as the Atto 3 in overseas markets—with a starting price of 119,800 yuan ($16,643), 12% lower than its predecessor. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 7 Mar. 2024 As the bar became more popular, artwork was damaged and programming shifted to book launches, film screenings and DJ sets. Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Since its commercial launch in 2008, Spotify has welcomed 581 tracks into its Billions Club. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Apple previously made a lot of gains during its launch period last year. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other 2024 event that’s out of this world with our space and astronomy calendar. Nathaniel Rich, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 With no atmosphere and only one-sixth the gravitational pull of earth, the moon is an excellent place as a launch point for future exploration of deeper space. Eli Amdur, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'launch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French *lancher, lancer, from Late Latin lanceare to wield a lance — more at lance

Noun (2)

Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish lancha, from Portuguese

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1749, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of launch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near launch

Cite this Entry

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

launch

1 of 3 verb
ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
ˈlänch
1
a
: to throw or spring forward : hurl
launch a spear
b
: to send off an object especially with force
launch a rocket
c
: to set a ship afloat
2
a
: to put in operation : begin
launch an attack
b
: to give a person a start
c
: to make a start especially energetically
launcher noun

launch

2 of 3 noun
: an act of launching

launch

3 of 3 noun
: a small motorboat that is open or that has the front part of the hull covered
Etymology

Verb

Middle English launchen "to launch, hurl," from an early French dialect word launcher (same meaning), from Latin lanceare "to use a lance"

Noun

from Spanish or Portuguese lancha "a boat used to go to and from a large ship"

More from Merriam-Webster on launch

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