verb

launched

lawncht

Launched (verb) means past tense and past participle of launch: to have started or introduced something new to the public, such as a product, service, campaign or business. Example: “The company launched its first electric car in March.”

verb

Past tense and past participle of launch: to have started or introduced something new to the public, such as a product, service, campaign or business.

"The company launched its first electric car in March."

"They launched the charity with a single fundraising dinner."

Sent a rocket, missile, boat or projectile off into the air or water.

"NASA launched the probe from Cape Canaveral at dawn."

"The lifeboat was launched within four minutes of the call."

Threw yourself or moved suddenly and forcefully in a particular direction, or began something abruptly.

"He launched himself at the door."

"She launched into a ten-minute complaint before I could speak."

How to use launched

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStarted something new, or sent something off with force.

When to use it

Neutral. The business sense dominates in modern usage; launch into is always followed by an activity such as a speech, story or rant.

Memory tip

Do not confuse launched with lunched. Launched rhymes with haunched; lunched is the past tense of lunch.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

launched → lunched released

Common pairings

officially launched launched a campaign newly launched launched into a speech launched an investigation

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Can you complete this real example?

The company _____ its first electric car in March.

Etymology

From Old French lanchier, lancier, from Late Latin lanceare, meaning to wield or hurl a lance.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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introduced released started unveiled rolled out fired propelled sent up floated

Antonyms

discontinued withdrawn shelved

Related words

published introduced dropped revealed fired Begun thrown cancelled

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between launched and released?

Released simply means made available, while launched implies a deliberate public start with some promotion behind it. A studio can quietly release a track, but a company launches a product with a date, an event and marketing.

Can a person be launched?

Yes, in two ways. A career or performer can be launched, meaning given a public start, and someone can launch themselves at or into something, meaning move or begin suddenly and forcefully.

What is the meaning of launched?

"launched" (verb) means past tense and past participle of launch: to have started or introduced something new to the public, such as a product, service, campaign or business.

What is another word for launched?

Other words for "launched" include introduced, released, started, unveiled, rolled out, fired.

People also searched

published introduced dropped revealed fired Begun thrown cancelled