Definition

1. Verb:

   • To set (a boat or ship) afloat for the first time: To move a newly built vessel from land into the water.
   • To send or propel something into the air or space with force: To cause a rocket, missile, or similar object to begin its flight.
   • To begin or set in motion (an activity, enterprise, or period): To start something, often with energy and publicity.
   • To present or introduce (a new product) to the public for the first time: To make a new item available for sale or use.

2. Noun:

   • The act of launching something: The event of sending a ship into the water or a rocket into the sky.
   • A large motorboat: An open or partly enclosed powerboat.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • The company will launch a new smartphone next month.
  • They launched the lifeboat into the rough sea.
  • NASA plans to launch the satellite on Thursday.
  • She launched her career with a groundbreaking discovery.

• Noun:

  • The rocket launch was postponed due to bad weather.
  • We took the launch for a tour around the harbor.

Advanced Usage

• "to launch into": To begin something, especially speech or an activity, suddenly and energetically.

  • He launched into a detailed explanation without any prompting.

• "to launch out": To start a new and daring enterprise or course of action.

  • After years of saving, she launched out as an independent consultant.

Variants and Related Words

• Launcher (n): A device for launching a rocket or missile.

  • The missile launcher was positioned on the hill.

• Launchpad (n): The base or platform from which a rocket is launched.

  • The spacecraft stood on the launchpad, ready for takeoff.

Synonyms

• Initiate: To cause a process or action to begin.
• Commence: To begin formally.
• Propels: To drive or push something forward.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Launch forth: (Similar to "launch out") To start speaking or acting with vigor.
  • Once he started, he launched forth on his favorite topic for an hour.

Related Idioms

• Launch an attack: To begin a military or verbal assault.

  • The general gave the order to launch an attack at dawn.

• Launch a campaign: To begin an organized series of activities for a specific purpose.

  • The charity launched a campaign to raise awareness.

Noun

1. the act of propelling with force
2. a motorboat with an open deck or a half deck

Verb

1. smoothen the surface of
   • launch plaster
2. get going; give impetus to
   • launch a career
   • Her actions set in motion a complicated judicial process
3. begin with vigor
   • He launched into a long diatribe
   • She plunged into a dangerous adventure
4. launch for the first time; launch on a maiden voyage
   • launch a ship
5. propel with force
   • launch the space shuttle
   • Launch a ship
6. set up or found
   • She set up a literacy program