Launch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈlȯnch/

Meaning & Definition of Launch

Launch (verb)

  1. to throw forward, hurl
  2. to release, catapult, or send off (a self-propelled object)
  3. to set (a boat or ship) afloat

Launch (noun)

  1. an act or instance of launching
  2. a large boat that operates from a ship
  3. a small motorboat that is open or that has the forepart of the hull covered

Launch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be responsible for the creation and early operation or use of

    "after retiring, he launched a small company devoted to making medical devices"

    similar: begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, pioneer, plant, set up, start
    related: author, father, originate, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up), construct, put up, develop, enlarge, expand, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, arrange, organize, systematize, systemize, refound, reinitiate, reinstitute, relaunch
    opposite: close (down), phase out, shut (up)
    near: abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify, end, finish, halt, stop, terminate, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up

  2. to take the first step in (a process or course of action)

    "she launched a career in journalism after quitting acting school"

    similar: begin, commence, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, lead off, open, start, strike (into), get going, get to, set about
    related: create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, adopt, embrace, take on, take up, establish, father, found, institute, organize, pioneer, set up, spawn, get around (to), get down (to), get round (to)
    opposite: conclude, end, finish, terminate
    near: cease, desist, discontinue, halt, knock off, lay off, quit, stop, close, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, abolish, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, phase out

  3. to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm

    "infantrymen launching grenades at the nest of machine gunners"

    similar: cast, catapult, chuck, dash, fire, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, lob, loft, peg, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss, let fly
    related: bowl, dart, flip, gun, hook, pass, roll, shoot, buck, eject, impel, precipitate, project, propel, rifle, thrust

Launch (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a rising from a surface at the start of a flight (as of a rocket)

    "the reporters held their collective breath as they silently watched the space shuttle's launch"

    similar: blastoff, liftoff, takeoff
    related: ascent
    opposite: landing
    near: crash, splashdown

  2. the point at which something begins

    "we are at the launch of a new age of space exploration"

    similar: alpha, baseline, beginning, birth, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go, inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold
    related: drawing board, first base, ground zero, square one, creation, founding, inauguration, initiation, institution, origination, cradle, fountain, fountainhead, germ, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring, dawning, opening, advent, appearance, arrival, debut, emergence, childhood, infancy, youth
    opposite: close, conclusion, end, ending, omega
    near: cessation, closing, closure, completion, finale, finish, period, stop, termination, windup

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Launch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Launch:

begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, pioneer, plant, set up, start, commence, embark (on or upon), enter (into or upon), fall (to), get off, kick off, lead off, open, strike (into), cast, catapult, chuck, dash, fire, fling, heave, hurl, hurtle, lob, loft, peg, pelt, pitch, sling, throw, toss, get going

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Launch

Words with the opposite meaning of Launch:

close (down), phase out, shut (up), conclude, end, finish, terminate, landing, close, conclusion, ending, omega

Related Words for Launch

author, father, originate, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), create, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, produce, think (up), construct, put up, develop, enlarge, expand, endow, finance, fund, subsidize, arrange, organize, systematize, systemize, refound, reinitiate

Near Antonyms of Launch

abolish, annihilate, annul, nullify, halt, stop, round (off or out), wind up, wrap up, cease, desist, discontinue, knock off, lay off, quit, complete, abandon, forsake, leave, demolish, destroy, exterminate, extinguish, crash, splashdown, cessation, closing, closure, completion, finale

Word Forms of Launch

Inflections: launched, launching, launches

Origin & Etymology of Launch

Middle English, from Anglo-French *lancher, lancer, from Late Latin lanceare to wield a lance lance

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Launch

Words & Phrases Containing Launch

launch vehicle, launch window, launch into, launch oneself, launch out, launchpad, prelaunch

Frequently Asked Questions about Launch

What does "Launch" mean?

"Launch" means to throw forward, hurl. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to throw forward, hurl. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Launch"?

Other words for "Launch" include begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate and institute. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Launch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Launch"?

There are 154 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Launch". Common alternatives include begin, constitute, establish, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce and pioneer.

What is the opposite of "Launch"?

Antonyms of "Launch" include close (down), phase out, shut (up), conclude, end, finish, terminate and landing. Near antonyms include abolish, annihilate, annul and nullify.

How do you use "Launch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Launch" in a sentence: "after retiring, he launched a small company devoted to making medical devices"; "she launched a career in journalism after quitting acting school"; "infantrymen launching grenades at the nest of machine gunners".

Is "Launch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Launch" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Launch" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Launch" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Launch"?

"Launch" is pronounced /ˈlȯnch/.