transitive verb

1. to hurl, discharge, or send off (a weapon, blow, etc.)
2. to send forth with some force to launch a plane by catapult
3. to cause (a newly built vessel) to slide from the land into the water; set afloat
4. to set in operation; start, inaugurate, etc. to launch an attack, launch a new ad campaign
5. to start (a person) on some course or career

Etymology: ME launchen < OFr lanchier < LL(Ec) lanceare, to wield a lance < L lancea, lance

intransitive verb

1. to put to sea: often with out or forth
2. to start on some new course or enterprise: often with out or forth
3. to throw oneself (into) with vigor; rush; plunge to launch into a tirade

noun

adjective

noun

1. Historical the largest boat carried by a warship
2. an open, or partly enclosed, motorboat

Etymology: Sp or Port lancha < ? Malay lancharan < lanchar, swift