launched

verb (used with object)

1. to set (a boat or ship) in the water.
2. to float (a newly constructed boat or ship) usually by allowing to slide down inclined ways into the water.
3. to send forth, catapult, or release, as a self-propelled vehicle or weapon: Rockets were launched midway in the battle. The submarine launched its torpedoes and dived rapidly.
4. to start (a person) on a course, career, etc.
5. to set going; initiate: to launch a scheme.
6. to throw; hurl: to launch a spear.
7. to start (a new venture) or promote (a new product): They launched a new breakfast cereal.
8. Computers. to start (a software program).

verb (used without object)

9. to burst out or plunge boldly or directly into action, speech, etc.
10. to start out or forth; push out or put forth on the water.

noun

11. the act of launching.

verb

1. to move (a vessel) into the water
2. to move (a newly built vessel) into the water for the first time
3. (tr)
   1. to start off or set in motionto launch a scheme
   2. to put (a new product) on the market
4. (tr) to propel with force
5. to involve (oneself) totally and enthusiasticallyto launch oneself into work
6. (tr) to set (a missile, spacecraft, etc) into motion
7. (tr) to catapult (an aircraft), as from the deck of an aircraft carrier
8. (intr foll by into) to start talking or writing (about)he launched into a story
9. (intr usually foll by out) to start (out) on a fresh course
10. (intr usually foll by out) informal to spend a lot of money

noun

11. an act or instance of launching

noun

1. a motor driven boat used chiefly as a transport boat
2. the largest of the boats of a man-of-war

v.c.1300, “to rush, plunge, leap, start forth; to be set into sudden motion,” from Old North French lancher (Old French lancier) “to fling, hurl, throw, cast,” from Late Latin lanceare “wield a lance,” from Latin lancea “light spear” (see lance). Sense of “set (a boat) afloat” first recorded c.1400, from notion of throwing it out on the water; generalized by 1600 to any sort of beginning. The noun meaning “a leap or a bound” is from mid-15c., from the verb. Meaning “the liftoff of a missile, spacecraft, etc.” is from 1935. Launch pad attested from 1960. n.“large boat carried on a warship,” 1690s, from Portuguese lancha “barge, launch,” apparently from Malay lancharan, from lanchar “quick, agile;” English spelling influenced by launch (v.).