- launch
- launch1 W2 [lo:ntʃ US lo:ntʃ] v [T]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(start something)¦2¦(product)¦3¦(boat)¦4¦(sky/space)¦5¦(computer)¦6 launch yourself forwards/up/from etcPhrasal verbslaunch into somethinglaunch out▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1300-1400; : Old North French; Origin: lancher, from Late Latin lanceare 'to throw a lance', from Latin lancea; LANCE1]1.) ¦(START SOMETHING)¦to start something, usually something big or important▪ The organization has launched a campaign to raise $150,000.▪ The Canadian police plan to launch an investigation into the deal.launch an attack/assault/offensive▪ The press launched a vicious attack on the President.▪ The book launched his career as a novelist.2.) ¦(PRODUCT)¦to make a new product, book etc available for sale for the first time▪ The company hopes to launch the new drug by next October.3.) ¦(BOAT)¦to put a boat or ship into the water4.) ¦(SKY/SPACE)¦to send a weapon or spacecraft into the sky or into space▪ A test satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.5.) ¦(COMPUTER)¦to make a computer program start= ↑open▪ Double-click on an icon to launch an application.6.) launch yourself forwards/up/from etcto jump up and forwards into the air with a lot of energylaunch into [launch into sth] phr v1.) to suddenly start a description or story, or suddenly start criticizing something▪ Nelson launched into a blistering criticism of greedy lawyers.2.) to suddenly start doing something▪ Don't just launch into exercise without warming up first.launch out phr vto start something new, especially something that involves risklaunch 2launch2 n[Sense: 1,3; Date: 1300-1400; Origin: LAUNCH1][Sense: 2; Date: 1600-1700; : Spanish; Origin: lancha, from Portuguese, perhaps from Malay lanchar 'quick']1.) when a new product, book etc is made available or made knownlaunch of▪ the launch of a new women's magazine▪ a new product launch2.) a large boat with a motor3.) when a weapon or spacecraft is sent into the sky or into space
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.