What does "launch" mean?
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.)
Launch
/lɑːnt͡ʃ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: 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.)
- Grammar: launch is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: beginning, activate, activates, advance.
- Useful contrasts: earthbounding, earthward landing, unestablished plan.
- Usage evidence: The launch, which had been scheduled for this morning, was postponed because of the illness of shuttle Commander John Creighton.
How to use "launch"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "launch" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "launch" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "launch" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "launch" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "launch" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "beginning" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "launch", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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.)
- 2 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".
- 3 the act of propelling with force wordnet
- 4 The act or fact of launching (a ship/vessel, a project, a new book, etc.).
"Dotcom mania was slow in coming to higher education, but now it has the venerable industry firmly in its grip. Since the launch early last year of Udacity and Coursera, two Silicon Valley start-ups offering free education through MOOCs, massive open online courses, the ivory towers of academia have been shaken to their foundations."
- 5 A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a motorboat with an open deck or a half deck wordnet
- 7 An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.
"product launch"
- 8 An open boat of any size powered by steam, petrol, electricity, etc.
Verb
- 1 To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force. transitive
"There they were met by four thousand Ha'apa'a warriors, who launched a volley of stones and spears[…]"
- 2 begin with vigor wordnet
- 3 To pierce with, or as with, a lance. obsolete, transitive
"And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds."
- 4 smoothen the surface of wordnet
- 5 To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat. transitive
"Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 propel with force wordnet
- 7 To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward from the ground. transitive
"A cheap rocket that could launch military reconnaisance satellites for developing countries has become involved in a tangled web of Nazi rocket scientists, Penthouse magazine, KGB disinformation, and a treaty reminiscent of the height of colonialism in Africa."
- 8 get going; give impetus to wordnet
- 9 To send out; to start (someone) on a mission or project; to give a start to (something); to put in operation transitive
"Our business launched a new project."
- 10 launch for the first time; launch on a maiden voyage wordnet
- 11 To start (a program or feature); to execute or bring into operation. transitive
"Double-click an icon to launch the associated application."
- 12 set up or found wordnet
- 13 To release; to put onto the market for sale transitive
"On September 3rd Bionym, a Canadian firm, launched Nymi, a bracelet which detects the wearer’s heartbeat."
- 14 Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.: to depart on a voyage; to take off. intransitive
- 15 To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to begin. intransitive, often
"In our language, Spenſer has not contented himſelf with this ſubmiſſive manner of imitation : he launches out into very flowery paths[…]"
- 16 To start to operate. intransitive
"After clicking the icon, the application will launch."
Antonyms
Example
"The launch, which had been scheduled for this morning, was postponed because of the illness of shuttle Commander John Creighton."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "launch"?
Common synonyms include: beginning, activate, activates, advance, advertising drive, airburst.
How do you use "launch" in a sentence?
The launch, which had been scheduled for this morning, was postponed because of the illness of shuttle Commander John Creighton.
How do you pronounce "launch"?
Pronounced /lɑːnt͡ʃ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
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.
Etymology 2
From Portuguese lancha (“barge, launch”), apparently from Malay lancar (“quick, agile”). Spelling influenced by the verb above.