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¹discharge

verb dis·charge \dis-ˈchärj, ˈdis-ˌ\

: to allow (someone) to leave a hospital, prison, etc.

: to take away the job of (someone) : to end the employment of (someone)

: to end the service of (someone) in a formal or official way : to release (someone) from duty

Full Definition of DISCHARGE

transitive verb

: to relieve of a charge, load, or burden:

a : unload <discharge a cargo ship>

b : to release from an obligation

c : to release electrical energy from (as a battery or capacitor) by a discharge

a : to let or put off <discharge passengers> <discharge cargo>

b : shoot <discharge an arrow>

c : to release from confinement, custody, or care <discharge a prisoner> <discharge a patient>

d : to give outlet or vent to : emit <discharge emotions>

a (1) : to dismiss from employment (2) : to release from service or duty <discharge a soldier>

b : to get rid of (as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate action (as payment)

c : to set aside : annul

d : to order (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill in order to bring it before the house for action

: to bear and distribute (as the weight of a wall above an opening)

: to bleach out or remove (color or dye) in dyeing and printing textiles

: to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon return

intransitive verb

a : to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden

b : to release electrical energy by a discharge

a : go off, fire —used of a gun

b : spread, run <some dyes discharge>

c : to pour forth fluid or other contents

— dis·charge·able \-jə-bəl\ adjective

— dis·charg·ee \(ˌ)dis-ˌchär-ˈjē\ noun

— dis·charg·er \dis-ˈchär-jər, ˈdis-ˌ\ noun

See discharge defined for English-language learners

See discharge defined for kids

Origin of DISCHARGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French descharger, from Late Latin discarricare, from Latin dis- + Late Latin carricare to load — more at charge

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISCHARGE

Synonyms: blast, shoot, fire, loose, squeeze off

Antonyms: load, pack

Synonym Discussion of DISCHARGE

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill <performed gymnastics>. execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent <executed the hit-and-run>. discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks <discharged his duties>. accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out <accomplished everything they set out to do>. achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties <achieve greatness>. effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles <effected sweeping reforms>. fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities <fulfilled their ambitions>.