launch

1 of 3

verb

ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
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 bookNewsweek
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 speechTim Tucker
2
a
archaic : to slide down the ways
b
: to make a start
had launched on his hour of studyHallam 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

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
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.
Verb
Louis Vuitton was among the first to recognize how crucial a deep emotional connection is to a brand; the company launched its Travel Book collection in 2013. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Originally launched as a limited-edition Studio Juice with only 100 units, its instant popularity secured its place in the permanent collection. Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
The year 2027 promises to be a revolutionary one for the discovery of these free-floaters with the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a microlensing specialist that will survey the night sky from a perch beyond Earth’s distortive atmosphere. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025 The Weeknd celebrated the launch of his film Hurry Up Tomorrow‘s second trailer by gracing the stage at CinemaCon. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for launch

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of launch was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

launch

1 of 3 verb
ˈlȯnch How to pronounce launch (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on launch

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