I. ˈlȯnch, ˈlänch verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French * lancher, lancer, from Late Latin lanceare to wield a lance — more at lance
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to throw forward : hurl
b. : to release, catapult, or send off (a self-propelled object)
launch a rocket
2.
a. : to set (a boat or ship) afloat
b. : to give (a person) a start
launch ed her on a new career
c.
(1) : to put into operation or set in motion : initiate , introduce
(2) : to get off to a good start
d. : to load into a computer's memory and run
launch a program
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to spring forward : take off
b. : to enter energetically
launch ed into an impromptu speech — Tim Tucker
2.
a. archaic : to slide down the ways
b. : to make a start
II. noun
Date: 1749
: an act or instance of launching
III. noun
Etymology: Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish lancha, from Portuguese
Date: 1697
1. : a large boat that operates from a ship
2. : a small motorboat that is open or that has the forepart of the hull covered