release

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​lease ri-ˈlēs 

released; releasing

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

releasable

ri-ˈlē-sə-bəl 

adjective

release

2 of 3

noun

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 bestseller on its release

b

: the matter released

especially : a statement prepared for the press

re-lease

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈlēs 

re-leased; re-leasing; re-leases

transitive verb

: to lease again

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• loose
• loosen
• uncork
• unleash
• unlock
• unloose
• unloosen

Noun

• delivery
• discharge
• quietus
• quittance

Choose the Right Synonym for release

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

Examples of release in a Sentence

Verb (1)

The hostages have been released.

The judge released the prisoner.

The lion was released from its cage.

There is a lot of controversy over whether or not wolves should be released into the park.

I released my son's hand, and he ran out onto the playground.

The factory faced serious fines for releasing dangerous chemicals into the river.

Heat is released into the atmosphere by cars.

During exercise, the body releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.

She started to cry, releasing all of her repressed emotion.

Exercise is a good way to release stress.

Noun

the release of the hostages

The prisoner is eligible for early release.

There was a controversy over the release of wolves into the park.

The prisoner was given an early release.

the release of heat into the atmosphere

Exercise triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.

an accidental release of pollutants into the river

They've filed a request for release from the contract.

They're requesting a release from their contractual obligations.

The release of the book is scheduled for next month.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel to the 2006 film that starred Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, is now set to release May 1. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 23 May 2025

The game was officially released on May 22, 1980 in Japanese arcades before launching in the United States in October 1980, according to the Pac-Man website. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Noun

That position marks a new high point for the joint release, which has never managed to reach the No. 1 spot. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Groves has been awaiting sentencing on a manslaughter charge since October, according to a news release from the governor’s office. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Verb

The company said many of the locations had previously shuttered as part of a consolidation effort but have since been re-leased or renewed under improved terms. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

For the part of its fleet that's leased, the lessor will retain possession and will be free to re-lease to Spirit or another airline, depending on what offers are on the table. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English relesen, from Anglo-French relesser, from Latin relaxare to relax

Noun

Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing release

• cytokine release syndrome
• general release
• on general release
• on work release
• pre-release
• press release
• release print
• re-release
• sustained-release
• timed-release
• time-release
• work release

Rhymes for release

• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise
• decease
• decrease
• eyepiece
• facepiece
• handpiece
• headpiece
• increase

Kids Definition

release

1 of 2 verb

re·​lease ri-ˈlēs 

released; releasing

1

: to set free (as from confinement)

release a prisoner

release a bird from a cage

2

: to relieve from something that holds or burdens

released from our 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 (as a movie or news story)

releasable

-ˈlē-sə-bəl 

adjective

release

2 of 2 noun

1

: relief or rescue from sorrow, suffering, or trouble

2

a

: a discharge from an obligation (as a debt)

b

: a giving up of a right or claim

3

: the act or an instance of setting free or letting go

4

: a document that contains a 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

b

: the matter released

especially : a statement prepared for the press

Legal Definition

release

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​lease

released; releasing

1

a

: to relieve or free from obligation, liability, or responsibility

the debtor is released from all dischargeable debts

b

: to give up (a claim, title, or right) to the benefit of another person : surrender

2

: to set free from confinement

was released on personal recognizance

release

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: discharge from an obligation or responsibility that bars a cause of action

did not effect a release of the school for any negligence

b

: the giving up or renunciation of a right or claim that bars a cause of action

was a release of the remainder of the debt

Note: A release may in some situations require consideration in order to be valid. A release of one joint obligor sometimes is considered to release all the obligors.

2

: an act or instrument that effects a release

signed a release issued by the insurer

called also release of all claims

compare hold harmless

3

: the act or instance of freeing especially from custody