To send out; to start (someone) on a mission or project; to give a start to (something); to put in operation
To cause (a vessel) to move or slide from the land or a larger vessel into the water; to set afloat.
To cause (a rocket, balloon, etc., or the payload thereof) to begin its flight upward from the ground.
To throw (a projectile such as a lance, dart or ball); to hurl; to propel with force.
Of a ship, rocket, balloon, etc.: to depart on a voyage; to take off.
To start to operate.
To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to begin.
To release; to put onto the market for sale
To start (a program or feature); to execute or bring into operation.
The act or fact of launching (a ship/vessel, a project, a new book, etc.).
A boat used to convey guests to and from a yacht.
An open boat of any size powered by steam, petrol, electricity, etc.
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".
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.)
An event held to celebrate the launch of a ship/vessel, project, a new book, etc.; a launch party.
To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).
To give a preface to.
An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
A title or epithet.
The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.
The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.