Topic: WATER
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old North French |
| Origin: | lancher, from Late Latin lanceare 'to throw a lance', from Latin lancea; LANCE1 |
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launch1 W2
[transitive]
[transitive]1 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. The book launched his career as a novelist.
start something
The organization has launched a campaign to raise $150,000.The Canadian police plan to launch an investigation into the deal.The book launched his career as a novelist.2 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.
product
The company hopes to launch the new drug by next October.3 to put a boat or ship into the water
boat
TTW4 to send a weapon or spacecraft into the sky or into space : A test satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.
sky/space
A test satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.5TD to make a computer program start [= open]: Double-click on an icon to launch an application.
computer
Double-click on an icon to launch an application.launch into something
phrasal verb1 to suddenly start a description or story, or suddenly start criticizing something : Nelson launched into a blistering criticism of greedy lawyers.
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.
Don't just launch into exercise without warming up first.