Nautical, Naval Termsto set (a boat or ship) in the water.
Nautical, Naval Termsto float (a newly constructed boat or ship) usually by allowing to slide down inclined ways into the water.
to send forth, catapult, or release, as a self-propelled vehicle or weapon:Rockets were launched midway in the battle. The submarine launched its torpedoes and dived rapidly.
to start (a person) on a course, career, etc.
to set going; initiate:to launch a scheme.
to throw; hurl:to launch a spear.
to start (a new venture) or promote (a new product):They launched a new breakfast cereal.
[Computers.]to start (an application program).
v.i.
to burst out or plunge boldly or directly into action, speech, etc.
Naval Termsto start out or forth; push out or put forth on the water.
n.
Nautical, Naval Termsthe act of launching.
Late Latin lanceāre to wield a lance; see lance1
Anglo-French lancher
late Middle English launche 1300–50
launch′a•ble, adj.
5.See corresponding entry in Unabridged inaugurate, institute.
launch2(lônch, länch),USA pronunciationn.
Nautical, Naval Termsa heavy open or half-decked boat propelled by oars or by an engine.
Naval Termsa large utility boat carried by a warship.
Portuguese
Spanish, Portuguese lancha, earlier Portuguese lanchara, first attested in 1515 in an account of boats encountered near the Strait of Malacca; of unclear origin, originally; neither Malay lancar "swift'' nor Romance outcomes of Late Latin lanceāre (see launch1) are fully convincing as sources; modern Malay lanca is