Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old North French
Origin: lancher, from Late Latin lanceare 'to throw a lance', from Latin lancea; LANCE1

launch

1 verb
     
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launch1 W2 [transitive]
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

TTW to put a boat or ship into the water
4

sky/space

to send a weapon or spacecraft into the sky or into space:
A test satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.
5TD

computer

to make a computer program start [= open]:
Double-click on an icon to launch an application.
6

launch yourself forwards/up/from etc

to jump up and forwards into the air with a lot of energy

launch into something

phrasal verb
1 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

phrasal verb
to start something new, especially something that involves risk
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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