launch

1 of 3

verb

ˈlȯnch 

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 book.

—Newsweek

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 speech.

—Tim Tucker

2

a

archaic : to slide down the ways

b

: to make a start

… had launched on his hour of study.

—Hallam 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

Synonyms of launch

Verb

• establish
• initiate
• pioneer
• introduce
• found
• create
• institute
• inaugurate

Noun (1)

• takeoff

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.

Noun (1)

the reporters held their collective breath as they silently watched the space shuttle's launch

we are at the launch of a new age of space exploration

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Over the next five weeks the below list will be updated and informed by The Athletic’s new player ratings model, being launched for this summer’s tournament in North America, which will provide an objective assessment of each player’s contribution in a match. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 June 2026

The Army lieutenant colonel launched on his first mission to space in 2022 and spent more than a year in orbit, setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut. —Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Noun

But this year, at the April opening of RH’s new Milanese flagship, the company struck a blow for the classic and the timeless with the launch of RH Estates, a new division that celebrates the genius of some of the world’s most venerable designers, past and present. —Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 9 June 2026

Expect to find a swimming area, kayak and canoe launch pad and a semicircular fishing pier. —Alexandra Maloney june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing launch

• launch into
• launch oneself
• launch out
• launch pad
• launch vehicle
• launch window
• pre-launch

Rhymes for launch

• conch
• haunch
• paunch
• staunch
• protoconch

Kids Definition

launch

1 of 3 verb

ˈlȯnch 

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"