noun

1. 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.)

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

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

   “book launch”

verb

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

2. To pierce with, or as with, a lance.

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

   “The navy launched another ship.”

Synonyms: lance, pierce