Collins English-English Dictionary

launch [lɔːntʃ]

1. 1. vb to move (a vessel) into the water

2. 2. vb to move (a newly built vessel) into the water for the first time

3. 3. vt. [tr] to start off or set in motion

   to launch a scheme

4. 4. vt. to put (a new product) on the market

5. 5. vt. [tr] to propel with force

6. 6. vt. to involve (oneself) totally and enthusiastically

   to launch oneself into work

7. 7. vt. [tr] to set (a missile, spacecraft, etc) into motion

8. 8. vt. [tr] to catapult (an aircraft), as from the deck of an aircraft carrier

9. 9. vi. [intr; foll by into] to start talking or writing (about)

   he launched into a story

10. 10. vi. [intr; usually foll by out] to start (out) on a fresh course

11. 11. vi. [intr; usually foll by out] [Spoken] to spend a lot of money

12. 12. n an act or instance of launching

13. 13. n [Etymology] C14: from Anglo-French lancher, from Late Latin lanceare to use a lance, hence, to set in motion. See lance

launch [lɔːntʃ]

1. 1. n a motor driven boat used chiefly as a transport boat

2. 2. n the largest of the boats of a man-of-war

3. 3. n [Etymology] C17: via Spanish lancha and Portuguese from Malay lancharan boat, from lanchar speed