launch | meaning of launch in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishWater, Astronomy, Computerslaunchlaunch1 /lɔːntʃ $ lɒːntʃ/ ●●○ W2 verb [transitive]    1 start somethingSTART something/MAKE something START to start something, usually something big or important  The organization has launched a campaign to raise $150,000.  The Canadian police plan to launch an investigation into the deal.launch an attack/assault/offensive  The press launched a vicious attack on the president.  The book launched his career as a novelist.2 productSELL to make a new product, book etc available for sale for the first time  The company hopes to launch the new drug by next October. 3 boatTTW to put a boat or ship into the water4 sky/spaceUP to send a weapon or spacecraft into the sky or into space  A test satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral.► see thesaurus at shoot5 computer to make a computer program start SYN open  Double-click on an icon to launch an application.6 → launch yourself forwards/up/from etc → launch into something → launch out→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpuslaunch• Wysling has launched a campaign to raise $7000 to restore the monument.• The local hospital has launched a campaign to raise money for new X-ray equipment.• Read in studio Police have launched a new initiative to tackle a rising wave of crime.• A high-technology corporation, for example, might launch a subsidiary to manufacture components for major systems produced by the parent.• Fiat launched a tiny "city car" especially for Europe's narrow, crowded streets.• Giddy from their wartime success, the Communists launched an ambitious plan aimed at expanding the economy by 14 percent a year.• Rebel forces launched an attack on the capital.• Mr Major says he has gathered enough support to launch an attack.• Modifying current equipment enables them to minimise new capital outlay while the product is being launched and its success evaluated.• Rebels launched another attack late Sunday.• The book launched his career as a novelist.• Fezza, the clothes designer, launched his first collection in 1980.• Of five landing missions launched in 1965, all five failed.• I positioned myself immediately below him, took a couple of practice aims and then launched my training shoe upwards.• Fiat has launched the smaller car model for city driving.• NASA will try to launch the space shuttle again on Sunday.• The most popular option is the DOS-based WordPerfect system which has launched version 6.0, being the first significant enhancement since 5.1. launch an attack/assault/offensive• But why does the otter not take advantage of this sense of security to launch an attack?• Their-very wildness provides ideal shelter in which guerrillas can hide and from which to launch attacks.• Then the Confederates launched an attack.• The village is soon surrounded by the Viet Cong, who launch attacks at night.• Karpov hopes to launch an attack in the h-file.• He is said to have launched an attack on the Areopagus, for usurpation of powers that were not statutory.Water, Astronomylaunchlaunch2 ●●○ noun [countable]    1 SELLwhen a new product, book etc is made available or made knownlaunch of  the launch of a new women’s magazine  a new product launch 2 TTWa large boat with a motor3 when a weapon or spacecraft is sent into the sky or into spaceExamples from the Corpuslaunch• the West Coast launch of his new cologne• Since its launch in 1988, sales of OS/2 have grown to only about 300,000 a year.• During the launch, two rockets boost the shuttle before separating and falling back into the sea.• the launch of nuclear weapons• The launch of the research centre is slated for December. product launch• He has worked full time as a magician and illusionist since 1998, entertaining primarily at corporate retreats and product launches.• Not all the losses resulting from a delayed product launch are concerned with that product.• But how important is another domestic product launch in 1992?• First, we got the marketing team together to review, in detail, our last major product launch.• The last major product launch two years ago really solidified a couple of new markets for us.• We will have a brand new product launch every six months for the next three years.• We are still optimistic about further growth during the year with a number of new product launches planned in the coming months. From Longman Business Dictionarylaunchlaunch1 /lɔːntʃlɒːntʃ/ verb [intransitive, transitive]1COMMERCEMARKETINGto show or make a new product available for sale for the first timeThe company is launching a new range of hair products.The bank has launched a commercial insurance service for small businesses.Our internet service will launch next year.2COMMERCEto start a new companyConran launched a business empire that was eventually to employ 83,000 people.3to start a new activity or profession, usually after planning it carefullyThe sports channel launched a major advertising campaign two months before the World Cup.Luke took advantage of a Youth Training Scheme to launch a successful career. 4launch a bidFINANCE if one company launches a bid for another, it makes an offer to buy itSeveral of its competitors may launch a bid for the company.→ See Verb tablelaunchlaunch2 noun [countable]1MARKETING an occasion at which a new product is shown or made available for sale or use for the first timeSavings are needed to finance new product launches.Since its launch two years ago, sales of the software have grown to only about 300,000 a year.2the start of a new activity or planthe launch on New Year’s day of a set of economic reformsOrigin launch1 (1300-1400) Old North French lancher, from Late Latin lanceare “to throw a lance”, from Latin lancea; → LANCE1 launch2 1. (1300-1400) → LAUNCH12. (1600-1700) Spanish lancha, from Portuguese, perhaps from Malay lanchar “quick”