launch1
/lɔːn(t)ʃ
/verb [with object]
1Set (a boat) in motion by pushing it or allowing it to roll into the water: the town’s lifeboat was launched to rescue the fishermen...
- I would like to know then if I would be allowed to launch my boat in the harbour and leave my car there for safe keeping as I had to buy my licence for my boat at Portnet.
- Road ends do not have boat ramps, nor is there sufficient water to launch a boat from a trailer at most road ends.
- The borough council wants to build the slipway on the Hangings to allow the fire and rescue service to launch its boat into the Avon as near as possible to the junction with the Severn.
Synonyms
set afloat, float;
put to sea, put into the water, send down the slipway
1.1Set (a newly built ship or boat) afloat for the first time with an official ceremony: the ship was launched in 1843 by Prince Albert...
- The Minister for the Marine will visit the club early next month to officially launch the boat.
- The celebrity and fundraiser took time out to officially launch a new boat for disabled people at the Sailing Club at the weekend.
- Where the banks of the Clyde once teemed with forests of shipbuilding cranes, launching huge vessels into the river every week, only ghosts remain of this once world-beating industry.
1.2Send (a missile, satellite, or spacecraft) on its course: they launched two Scud missiles...
- Two months later, although not missile related but even more explosive, the Soviets launched the Sputnik I satellite.
- That approach would require much more than sending bombers and launching missiles against terrorists already discovered and recorded.
- They have six weapons tubes, used for launching both torpedoes and missiles, and can dive to depths greater than 300 metres.
Synonyms
send into orbit, put into orbit;
blast off, take off, lift off
1.3 [with object and adverbial of direction] Hurl (something) forcefully: a chair was launched at him...
- But Pujols kept his head down, fully extended his arms and went with the pitch, launching it over the center field wall.
- Then he takes one giant stride down the pitch and launches the final ball of the over for six over mid-on.
- In an instant, both guns were firing away, launching a volley of shells at the remaining enemy Genos.
Synonyms
throw, hurl, fling, pitch, lob, toss, cast, let fly, propel, project;
fire, shoot
informal chuck, heave, sling
1.4 [with adverbial of direction] (launch oneself) Make a sudden energetic movement: I launched myself out of bed...
- In a sudden blur of movement she launched herself across the office in my direction.
- Their coats streamed back in a sudden breeze launching itself through the prison.
- It is at the roadside vendor's that they energetically launch themselves into some tough wrangling.
1.5Utter (criticism or a threat) vehemently: he launched a biting attack on BBC chiefs...
- They launch Denial of Service attacks against websites (including ours) on a daily basis.
- He is always trying to sound reasonable even when he is making outrageous demands and launching threats.
- Wyatt also wants to introduce a specific offence for launching denial of service attacks, removing a potential grey area in existing laws.
2Start or set in motion (an activity or enterprise): the government is to launch a £1.25 million publicity campaign...
- Earlier this year, the Minster authorities launched the Development Campaign.
- After the poll tax was defeated in 1991 Scottish Militant Labour was launched as an open political party.
- Congratulations are due to the Scottish business leaders who had the vision and enterprise to launch this project.
Synonyms
set in motion, get going, get under way, start, begin, embark on, usher in, initiate, put in place, instigate, institute, inaugurate, set up, bring out, organize, introduce, open;
establish, found, originate, create, pioneer, lay the foundations of, lay the first stone of, bring into being, activate, mastermind, float, debut, roll out;
start the ball rolling
informal kick off
formal commence
2.1Introduce (a new product or publication) to the public for the first time: two new Ford models are to be launched in the US next year...
- A few exhibitors chose to launch their new products at the show.
- New products will also be launched at these exhibitions.
- One of the largest companies in the world will be launching a new product in Zambia tomorrow.
noun
1An act or instance of launching something: the launch of a new campaign against drinking and driving...
- The launch of flights between Singapore and Jakarta, which has been stalled since May amid air traffic wrangles, is now scheduled for the end of this month.
- This followed the launch of these flights in March.
- We could have sworn that the downloading of music took off with the launch of Napster.
1.1An occasion at which a new product or publication is introduced to the public: a book launch...
- It comes through compèring public functions, product launches, dealer meets and by anchoring programmes in television channels.
- The on-site events team will ensure that conferences, meetings, product launches and exhibitions run smoothly.
- Running until Sunday, the festival has a diverse programme of events including lectures, book launches, workshops, debates, symposia, film and art.
Phrasal verbs
launch into
launch out
Origin
Middle English (in the sense 'hurl a missile, discharge with force'): from Anglo-Norman French launcher, variant of Old French lancier (see lance).
Rhymes
launch2
/lɔːn(t)ʃ/noun
1A large motor boat used for short trips: she cruised the waterways on a luxury motor launch a police launch halted a small boat...
- He returned the salute as the warship gathered speed, picked up her guard of Police escort launches and headed for the open sea.
- You can tie up your own tender at the dinghy docks or go ashore in one of the harbor launches.
- Motor-driven launches, powerboats, pedal boats and rowboats are in great demand in the tourist spots of Veli-Akkulam.
1.1 historical The largest boat carried on an armed sailing ship.
Origin
Late 17th century: from Spanish lancha 'pinnace', perhaps from Malay lancharan, from lanchar 'swift, nimble'.