Dictionary

The movement of a vessel from land into the water; especially, the sliding on ways from the stocks on which it is built. (Compare: to splash a ship.)

The act or fact of launching (a ship/vessel, a project, a new book, etc.).

An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.

Example: book launch

To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.

To pierce with, or as with, a lance.

To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat.

Example: The navy launched another ship.

To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward from the ground.

Example: NASA launched several unmanned rockets before launching any of the Mercury astronauts.

The boat of the largest size and/or of most importance belonging to a ship of war, and often called the "captain's boat" or "captain's launch".

A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.

An open boat of any size powered by steam, petrol, electricity, etc.