launch vehicle

noun

: a rocket used to launch a satellite or spacecraft

Examples of launch vehicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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It is made for small launch vehicles and hypersonic systems. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026 That launch vehicle, however, has flown only twice since its January 2025 debut and has other customers with urgent needs, which may make 2027 a more realistic timeframe for AST. Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 4 Mar. 2026 Taking off aboard Rocket Lab's HASTE launch vehicle, the DART AE reached a top speed of Mach 8 as the climax of the Cassowary Vex mission. David Szondy march 02, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2026 Specifically, a series of hydrogen leaks and then an unexpected problem getting helium to flow to the upper portion of the launch vehicle led to a series of delays and ultimately a decision to roll the rocket back off its launchpad. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for launch vehicle

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of launch vehicle was circa 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Launch vehicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch%20vehicle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

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