launch
To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
Verb 4 meanings
To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat.
“The navy launched another ship.”
To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward from the ground.
“NASA launched several unmanned rockets before launching any of the Mercury astronauts.”
To send out; to start (someone) on a mission or project; to give a start to (something); to put in operation
“Our business launched a new project.”
Noun 4 meanings
The movement of a vessel from land into the water; especially, the sliding on ways from the stocks on which it is built. (Compare: to splash a ship.)
The act or fact of launching (a ship/vessel, a project, a new book, etc.).
An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.
“product launch”
The boat of the largest size and/or of most importance belonging to a ship of war, and often called the "captain's boat" or "captain's launch".
Etymology
From Middle English launchen (“to throw as a lance”), Old French lanchier, another form (Old Northern French/Norman variant, compare Jèrriais lanchi) of lancier, French lancer, from lance.
Similar and opposite words
LAUNCH at a glance
LAUNCH has 6 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (L 1 + A 1 + U 1 + N 1 + C 3 + H 4) and 14 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #2,027 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with launch
All rhymesOne letter away
- PAUNCH13
- HAUNCH14
- RAUNCH11
- GAUNCH12
- LAUNCE8
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