Etymology Map
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Launch

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to set in motion; to send off

Where does the word "launch" come from? It comes from Late Latin lanceare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
lanceare
Late Latin · ancient
"to wield a lance"
from 'lancea', lance
2
Stage 2 of 3
lancher
Old French · medieval
"to hurl"
Norman French form of 'lancer'
3
Stage 3 of 3
launch
English · 1300s
"to hurl"
ship launches date from the 1700s, rocket launches from the 1940s
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Read the full story

Launch’s story begins in Late Latin: lanceare meant “to wield a lance.” From 'lancea', lance. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as lancher. Norman French form of 'lancer'. It reached English by 1300s as launch. Ship launches date from the 1700s, rocket launches from the 1940s. Today, launch means to set in motion; to send off.