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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The original launch vehicles for satellites used by the United States was the Vanguard rocket, which worked out to a cost of about $1,000,000 per kilogram. Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026 If not, the Artemis launch vehicles could suffer from fuel feed destabilization, which could ultimately lead to rocket failure. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026 To date, only two of Alpha's six orbital missions have been fully successful, but Firefly is focused on more than just launch vehicles. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Each of the four-axle transporters and launch vehicles carries five rocket tubes. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 19 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 28 Feb. 2026.

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