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Meaning & use

launch sequence

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈlɔːntʃ ˌsiːkwəns/
US/ˈlɔːntʃ ˌsiːkwəns/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablespecialist

    the fixed order of steps that must be carried out before a rocket, missile, or spacecraft can take off.

    Grammar: Countable, so you can say a launch sequence or the launch sequence; it often follows verbs like begin, run through, or abort.

    Patterns

    • begin the launch sequence
    • run through the launch sequence
    • abort the launch sequence
    • a launch sequence for something

    Engineers began the launch sequence hours before dawn.

    A faulty sensor forced the team to stop the launch sequence at the last minute.

    The launch sequence for the new rocket takes about ninety minutes to complete.

  2. nouncountablebusiness

    a planned series of actions done in a set order to start a project, product, or event.

    Grammar: Countable and often used with the definite article when both speaker and listener know which launch is meant.

    Patterns

    • a launch sequence for something
    • plan a launch sequence
    • follow a launch sequence

    The marketing team drew up a launch sequence for the new phone.

    Their launch sequence for the festival starts with ticket sales and ends with the opening concert.

Word forms

plurallaunch sequences

Common combinations

begin the launch sequence
The controller gave the order to begin the launch sequence.
abort the launch sequence
They had to abort the launch sequence when fuel began leaking.
run through the launch sequence
The crew ran through the launch sequence one final time.
a countdown in the launch sequence
The countdown is the best-known part of the launch sequence.
the final stage of the launch sequence
Ignition is the final stage of the launch sequence.

Synonyms and how they differ

countdown
Use countdown for the spoken numbers leading up to zero; the launch sequence is the whole set of technical steps, of which the countdown is only one part.
procedure
Procedure is the general word for any official way of doing something; launch sequence is narrower and suggests a strict, timed order of events.

Word family

launch verb
to send a rocket or product out into the world for the first time
launchpad noun
the platform from which a rocket leaves the ground

Commonly confused: launch sequence or launching sequence?

launch sequence vs launching sequence

Both are used, but launch sequence is the standard fixed term, especially in space and military writing.

Practice

The ground crew had to ___ the launch sequence when a warning light came on.

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