Dictionary entries for 'launch'

Synonyms

launch¹ (lônch, länch)

[Middle English launchen, from Old North French lancher, from Latin lanceāre, to wield a lance, from lancea, lance; see lance.]

verb: launched, launch·ing, launch·es.

1. To throw or propel with force; hurl: launch a spear.
2. To set or thrust (a self-propelled craft or projectile) in motion: launch a rocket; launch a torpedo.
Nautical To put (a boat) into the water in readiness for use.
To set going; initiate: launch a career; launch a business venture.
To introduce to the public or to a market: launched the new perfume with prime-time commercials on the major networks.
To give (someone) a start, as in a career or vocation.

To begin a new venture or phase; embark: launch forth on a dangerous mission; launched out on her own after college.
To enter enthusiastically into something; plunge: launched into a description of the movie.

launch² (lônch, länch)

[Probably alteration (probably influenced by launch¹), of Malay lancha.]