launched; launching; launches
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
d
: to load into a computer's memory and run
launch a program
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 speech—
Tim Tucker
Tim Tucker2
a
archaic
: to slide down the ways
b
: to make a start
had launched on his hour of study—Hallam Tennyson
Hallam Tennyson1
: a large boat that operates from a ship
2
: a small motorboat that is open or that has the forepart of the hull covered
Synonyms
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
Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
For the first time since Google launched, there’s something arguably superior going up against it.
—David Nield, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $6.95 million from $6.20 million, primarily due to commercial launch activities and additional personnel in the commercial team.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for launch 
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Verb
Library survey Santa Clara County Library District has launched an online community survey for Santa Clara County residents who utilize its services and/or live in the nine cities within its boundaries, including Campbell.
—Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
For the first time since Google launched, there’s something arguably superior going up against it.
—David Nield, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
More than 80 percent of the launches don’t carry government payloads.
—Joe Mathews, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $6.95 million from $6.20 million, primarily due to commercial launch activities and additional personnel in the commercial team.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for launch
Dictionary Entries Near launch
Cite this Entry
“Launch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
launch
1 of 3 verb
ˈlȯnch 
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"
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