launch vehicle

noun

: a rocket used to launch a satellite or spacecraft

Examples of launch vehicle in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Five of those have powered each variant of Russia’s R-7 rocket family since the 1950s, a legacy now carried on by the Soyuz launch vehicle. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 3 July 2026 Demand for these components is expected to rise as the country accelerates work on hypersonic weapons, missile defense systems, commercial launch vehicles, and advanced nuclear energy projects. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026 While development of the Starship launch vehicle continues apace, in 2026, SpaceX also supports 10 million+ Starlink customers. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 June 2026 SpaceX intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund its growth strategy, including the expansion of AI compute infrastructure, enhancements of launch infrastructure and launch vehicles and increases in the scale and capacity of its satellites. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for launch vehicle

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of launch vehicle was circa 1960

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launchpad

launch vehicle

launch window

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Style

“Launch vehicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/launch%20vehicle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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launch vehicle

noun

Examples of launch vehicle in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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