launch🔊

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

(obsolete) To pierce with, or as with, a lance. +

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

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

To send out; to start (someone) on a mission or project; to give a start to (something); to put in operation

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

To release; to put onto the market for sale

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

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

(of a program) To start to operate.

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.).

An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.

(nautical) 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".

(nautical) A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.

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