First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1release
verb re·lease \ri-ˈlēs\
: to allow (a person or animal) to leave a jail, cage, prison, etc. : to set (someone or something) free
: to stop holding (someone or something)
: to allow (a substance) to enter the air, water, soil, etc.
re·leasedre·leas·ing
Full Definition of RELEASE
transitive verb
1
: to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude <release hostages> <release pent-up emotions> <release the brakes>; also : to let go : dismiss <released from her job>
2
: to relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses <was released from her promise>
3
: to give up in favor of another : relinquish <release a claim to property>
4
: to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of; also : to make available to the public <the commission released its findings> <release a new movie>
intransitive verb
: to move from one's normal position (as in football or basketball) in order to assume another position or to perform a second assignment
— re·leas·able \-ˈlē-sə-bəl\ adjective
See release defined for English-language learners
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Origin of RELEASE
Middle English relesen, from Anglo-French relesser, from Latin relaxare to relax
Related to RELEASE
Synonym Discussion of RELEASE
free, independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to the rule or control of another. free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions <you're free to do as you like>. independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies <the colony's struggle to become independent>. sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere <separate and sovereign armed services>. autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government <in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous>.
free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint. free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>. emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>.
free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint. free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>. emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>.
2release
noun
Definition of RELEASE
1
: relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering, or trouble
2
a : discharge from obligation or responsibility b (1) : relinquishment of a right or claim (2) : an act by which a legal right is discharged; specifically : a conveyance of a right in lands or tenements to another having an estate in possession
3
a : the act or an instance of liberating or freeing (as from restraint) b : the act or manner of concluding a musical tone or phrase c : the act or manner of ending a sound : the movement of one or more vocal organs in quitting the position for a speech sound d : the action or manner of throwing a ball <has a quick release>
4
: an instrument effecting a legal release
5
: the state of being freed
6
: a device adapted to hold or release a mechanism as required
7
a : the act of permitting performance or publication; also : performance, publication <became a best seller on its release> b : the matter released; especially : a statement prepared for the press
See release defined for English-language learners
Origin of RELEASE
Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser
First Known Use: 14th century
RELEASED Defined for Kids
1release
verb re·lease \ri-ˈlēs\
re·leasedre·leas·ing
Definition of RELEASE for Kids
1
: to set free or let go of <The fish was caught and released.> <He released his hold on the rope.>
2
: to allow to escape <The factory released chemicals into the river.>
3
: to relieve from a duty, responsibility, or burden <She released him from his promise.>
4
: to give up or hand over to someone else <I released my claim.>
5
: to permit to be published, sold, or shown <The movie will be released next month.>
2release
noun
Definition of RELEASE for Kids
1
: the act of setting free or letting go <release of a prisoner>
2
: the act of allowing something to escape <the release of smoke>
3
: a discharge from an obligation or responsibility
4
: relief or rescue from sorrow, suffering, or trouble <release from pain>
5
: a device for holding or releasing a mechanism
6
: the act of making something available to the public
7
: something (as a new product or song) that is made available to the public
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