launch

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball)

   To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.

   • There they were met by four thousand Ha'apa'a warriors, who launched a volley of stones and spears[…]
2. 2

   To pierce with, or as with, a lance.

   • And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds.
3. 3

   To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water

   To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat.

   • Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
   • 1725–1726, Alexander Pope, Homer's Odyssey (translation), Book V With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship, / And rolled on levers, launched her in the deep.
   • The navy launched another ship.
4. ›+ 13 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward…

      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.
   2. 5

      To send out

      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.
      • All art is uſed to ſink Epiſcopacy, & lanch Presbytery in England.
      • Here was my chance. I took the old man aside, and two or three glasses of Old Crow launched him into reminiscence.
   3. 6

      To start (a program or feature)

      To start (a program or feature); to execute or bring into operation.

      • Double-click an icon to launch the associated application.
      • If the game does not automatically launch, select Disney Cory in the House from the DS launch screen.
   4. 7

      To release

      To release; to put onto the market for sale

      • On September 3rd Bionym, a Canadian firm, launched Nymi, a bracelet which detects the wearer’s heartbeat.
   5. 8

      Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.

      Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.: to depart on a voyage; to take off.

   6. 9

      To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water

      To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to begin.

      • In our language, Spenſer has not contented himſelf with this ſubmiſſive manner of imitation : he launches out into very flowery paths[…]
      • My class was wearing butter-yellow pique dresses, and Momma launched out on mine. She smocked the yoke into tiny crisscrossing puckers, then shirred the rest of the bodice.
      • to launch into an argument or discussion
   7. 10

      To start to operate.

      • After clicking the icon, the application will launch.
   8. 11

      The movement of a vessel from land into the water

      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.)

   9. 12

      The act or fact of launching (a ship/vessel, a project, a new book, etc.).

   10. 13

       An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, 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
       • book launch
   11. 14

       The boat of the largest size and/or of most importance belonging to a ship of war, and…

       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".

   12. 15

       A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.

   13. 16

       An open boat of any size powered by steam, petrol, electricity, etc.

The neighborhood

• neighborlaunching ways
• neighborcold launch
• neighborhard launch
• neighborhot launch
• neighborsoft launch
• neighborbarge
• neighborboat
• neighborship’s boat
• neighboryacht