launch vehicle

noun

: a rocket used to launch a satellite or spacecraft

Examples of launch vehicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company had a last-minute issue with its launch vehicle. Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 The launch vehicle carried a batch of 22 Starlink satellites to add to SpaceX's ever-expanding wireless internet megaconstellation. Space.com Staff, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025 However, the competition is still alive, as shown by a comment from SpaceX's vice president of Falcon launch vehicles, Jon Edwards. Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024 The most recent launch on Nov. 19 represented the sixth test flight of the Starship launch vehicle, which proved successful with the first in-space burn of a single Raptor engine for deorbiting processes. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near launch vehicle

Cite this Entry

“Launch vehicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch%20vehicle. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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