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.
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.).
The initial awards will give $316 million to SpaceX for one launch and $337 million to ULA for two launches. […] Military officials did not say exactly how many launches that might enetail^([sic]), nor did they provide a total contract value. 2020 August 7, Jackie Wattles, “SpaceX and ULA win military launch competition worth $653 million – and that’s just the start”, in CNN Business:
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. 2013 July 20, “The attack of the MOOCs”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.
cmn 發射 /发射 (act of launching) · nl lancering (act of launching) · ru спуск (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · ca llançament (act of launching) · hi विमोचन (act of launching) · da søsætning (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · bg хвърляне (act of launching) · fi laukaisu (act of launching) · pl wodowanie (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · fr lancement (act of launching) · sv sjösättning (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · et heide (act of launching) · bg спускане на вода (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · mi whakamānutanga (act of launching) · de Start (act of launching) · fi vesillelasku (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · bg изстрелване (act of launching) · nl lancering (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · pt lançamento (act of launching) · pt arremesso (act of launching) · ja 発射 (act of launching) · pl wystrzelenie (act of launching) · nl worp (act of launching) · oc lançament (act of launching) · mi whakarewanga (act of launching) · ka გაშვება (act of launching) · hi जलावतरण (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · nl tewaterlating (movement of a vessel from land into the water) · ru за́пуск (act of launching) · pl uruchomienie (act of launching) · es lanzamiento (act of launching) · hi प्रमोचन (act of launching) · bg мятане (act of launching)
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.
Meanings
(transitive) 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[…] 2011, Stephen Budiansky, Perilous Fight: America's Intrepid War with Britain on the High Seas, 1812-1815, page 323:
(obsolete, transitive) To pierce with, or as with, a lance.
And launch your hearts with lamentable wounds. 1591, Edmund Spenser, The Teares of the Muses:
(transitive) 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.
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 5:4:
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.
(transitive) 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.
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. 1978, Farooq Hussain, “Volksraketen for the Third World”, in New Scientist:
(transitive) 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. 1649, Eikon Basilike:
I have ordered House Atreides to occupy Arrakis to mine the spice, thus replacing their enemies the Harkonnens. House Atreides will not refuse because of the tremendous power they think they will gain. Then, at an appointed time, Baron Harkonnen will return to Arrakis and launch a sneak attack on House Atreides. I have promised the Baron five legions of my Sardaukar terror troops. 1984, 8:38 from the start, in Dune (Science Fiction), →OCLC:
Here was my chance. I took the old man aside, and two or three glasses of Old Crow launched him into reminiscence. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter II, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
“[…] They talk of you as if you were Croesus—and I expect the beggars sponge on you unconscionably.” And Vickers launched forth into a tirade very different from his platform utterances. He spoke with extreme contempt of the dense stupidity exhibited on all occasions by the working classes. 1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XIII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
In mid-December 1944, the Germans launched a massive assault in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. 2026 June 28, Jeff Minick, “A Spoonful of Smiles Helps the History Go Down: Famous Quotes From America’s Past”, in The Epoch Times, archived from the original on 28 Jun 2026, American Essence:
(transitive) 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. 2008, “Getting Started”, in Cory in the House: Instruction Booklet, Burbank, California: Disney Interactive Studios; Nintendo, page 4:
(transitive) 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. 2013 September 7, “Kill or cure”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8852:
(intransitive) Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.: to depart on a voyage; to take off.
(intransitive, often, with out) 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[…] 1718, Matthew Prior, Solomon: On the Vanity of the World, Preface:
to launch into lavish expenditures
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. 1969, Maya Angelou, chapter 23, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings:
to launch into an argument or discussion
(intransitive, of a program) To start to operate.
After clicking the icon, the application will launch.
hi प्रमोचन (to start (a program or feature)) · et alustama (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · sk odštartovať (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · nl te water laten (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · bg хвърлям (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl odpalać (to start (a program or feature)) · mi whakamānu (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · pl włączyć (to start (a program or feature)) · nl spietsen (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · sq qit (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl wyrzucać (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · nl lanceren (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · nl aanzetten (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · da søsætte (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · ja 発射する (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl odpalić (to start (a program or feature)) · bg започвам (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · de starten (to start (a program or feature)) · pt abrir (start to operate) · pl wystrzeliwać (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sk vrhnúť (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · it lanciare (to start (a program or feature)) · fi heittää (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · ca llançar (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · ca executar (to start (a program or feature)) · pl włączać (to start (a program or feature)) · fi laskea vesille (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · ca llançar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · bg мятам (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · tr açmak (to start (a program or feature)) · pt arremessar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · enm launcen (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · bg изстрелвам (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · sq gju (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · fi lanseerata (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · pt abrir (to start (a program or feature)) · fi laukaista (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · nrf lanchi (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sv starta (to start (a program or feature)) · it aprirsi (start to operate) · eo alĵeti (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · uk запусти́ти (to start (a program or feature)) · sk spustiť (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · es botar (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · ar أَطْلَقَ (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · da slynge (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl wyrzucić (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · uk запусти́ти (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · enm launchen (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · pt lançar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · nl smijten (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pt executar (to start (a program or feature)) · enm launcen (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pt iniciar (to start (a program or feature)) · enm launchen (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · ota صالمق (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · tr çalıştırmak (to start (a program or feature)) · pt jogar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pt lançar (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · de lancieren (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · bg предприемам (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · it lanciare (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · id meluncurkan (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · nn sjøsetje (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · id menjalankan (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · et käivitama (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · de öffnen (to start (a program or feature)) · tr açılmak (start to operate) · ka გაუშვებს (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · pl rozpoczynać (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · pl wodować (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · it avviarsi (start to operate) · et heitma (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · la dēdūcō (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · oc abaudir (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · hi फेंकना (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · ru запуска́ть (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · nl gooien (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sv stöta (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · sk vypustiť (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · nb sjøsette (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · pl rozpocząć (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · nrf affliouer (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sv slänga (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sv exekvera (to start (a program or feature)) · it avviare (to start (a program or feature)) · ru запусти́ть (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sq hedh (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · fi tuoda markkinoille (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · sv sjösätta (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · eo lanĉi (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · ms melancarkan (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · cmn 發射 /发射 (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · uk запуска́ти (to start (a program or feature)) · pl uruchamiać (to start (a program or feature)) · pt iniciar (start to operate) · sl zagnati (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · et sööstma (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · cs hodit (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sk spustiť (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · nl doorboren (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · af te water laat (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · nl werpen (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sk hodiť (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pt tacar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · es lancear (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · da opsende (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl zwodować (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · sv spetta (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · nn sjøsette (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · fr lancer (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · it varare (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · nl lanceren (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · pl wystrzelić (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · eo ĵeti (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · de abschießen (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · ar قَذَفَ (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · oc lançar (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · ka უშვებს (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · mi whakarewa (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · pt lancear (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · bg изхвърлям (strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce) · bg спускам на вода (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · uk запуска́ти (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · nl lanceren (cause to move or slide from the land into the water) · es lanzar (throw, hurl, let fly, propel with force) · sv lansera (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation) · pl uruchomić (to start (a program or feature)) · et välja saatma (send out; start on a career; set going; give a start to; put in operation)
ga lainse (open boat) · fa بارکاس (open boat) · es lancha (open boat) · fi kapteenin vene (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · mi rōnohi (open boat) · fa لنج (open boat) · et kaater (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · te లాంచీ (open boat) · fi avovene (open boat) · es lancha (boat used to convey guests) · es lanchón (open boat) · ca llanxa (open boat) · de Barkasse (open boat) · el άκατος (boat used to convey guests) · mi rōnihi (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · pl barkas (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · el άκατος (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · es lanchón (boat used to convey guests) · fi yhteysvene (boat used to convey guests) · ru барка́с (boat used to convey guests) · ru барка́с (open boat) · ru барка́с (largest boat belonging to a ship of war) · mi rōnihi (boat used to convey guests)