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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After being deposited in orbit by a launch vehicle, Winnebago uses its own propulsion to maneuver into the right attitude. Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 15 May 2026 The most promising Indian launch company, Skyroot Aerospace, says its Vikram-1 launch vehicle could take flight within the next couple of months. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 Once the launch vehicle's four RS-25 engines are attached, the stage will be transferred to the VAB's taller High Bay 3, where engineers will mate the remaining sections of SLS and the Orion spacecraft ahead of a launch date currently targeted for the latter half of next year. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 11 May 2026 Authored by Buzz Aldrin, the observations highlighted in the document – all made during the crew's return trip to Earth – include an object on the way toward the moon that the astronauts speculated may have been the Saturn V launch vehicle. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 May 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 21 May. 2026.

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