release

verb re·lease \ ri-ˈlēs \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of release

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

play \ri-ˈlē-sə-bəl\ adjective

See release defined for English-language learners

See release defined for kids

Examples of release in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of release from the Web

He was released on $500,000 bond on July 19, the day after his arrest, court records show.

— zak koeske, Daily Southtown, "Teacher charged with attempted murder subbed at Cicero middle school while out on bond, records show," 8 May 2018
The board's statement was released by its new chairman, Paul George Guy, who is CEO Andrew Guy's cousin.

— author: teresa cotsirilos, Anchorage Daily News, "Calista Corp. denies CEO mishandled sexual harassment complaint," 8 May 2018
The retired businessman was released less than a year ago from a prison term for a 2010 mine explosion that left 29 men dead.

— steve peoples and john raby, BostonGlobe.com, "GOP voters in West Virginia reject ex-convict for Senate," 9 May 2018
Her new book, called The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War: A Collection of Poems and Essays, was released in April.

— michael walsh, Courant Community, "Avon Author Releases Book Of Civil War Poems," 9 May 2018
Jail records show bail was set at $20,000 each and they were released Tuesday evening.

— alene tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "Substance thrown at Chief Charlie Beck during L.A. Police Commission meeting; 2 women arrested," 9 May 2018
Santana-Alvarez was released without having to post bail and is due in Superior Court in Manchester on May 21.

— jesse leavenworth, courant.com, "East Hartford Woman Arrested After Tossing Package Sent To Wrong Address," 9 May 2018
The Art of Wandering was released May 1, and is available to purchase here for $15.

— melania hidalgo, The Cut, "A Beautiful Children’s Book for Adults," 9 May 2018
The final reports, with the 84 schools included, were released last month.

— agnel philip, azcentral, "Analysis: 1 in 4 charters shows significant financial red flags," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'release.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of release

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

release Synonyms

Phrases

turn loose;

Synonym Discussion of 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

release

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

Examples of release in a Sentence

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 of release from the Web

Officer Mario Figueroa's charge is a second-degree misdemeanor, a Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office news release said.

— david fischer, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Miami cop charged after video shows him kicking at head of handcuffed man," 9 May 2018
Creed II is currently scheduled for a Nov. 21 release.

— nick vadala, Philly.com, "Hulk Hogan says he would beat Sylvester Stallone in a fight," 9 May 2018
Is there anything that garners more hype and attention than a new Glossier release?

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Why Glossier Is Refunding Everyone Who Bought Its Mascara Today," 9 May 2018
For now, the revelations, which started with a document release from Stormy Daniels’s attorney, Michael Avenetti, have led to more questions than answers: How normal is this?

— emily stewart, Vox, "AT&T’s and Novartis’s payments to Michael Cohen are definitely sketchy, but maybe not illegal," 9 May 2018
On Tuesday, Peele finally hopped on Twitter and unveiled the poster, release date, and title of his sophomore directorial effort, Us.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Everything You Need to Know about Jordan Peele’s Follow-Up to Get Out," 9 May 2018
Politico reported that Pompeo is in the final stages of negotiating the American prisoners’ release, but the secretary said much about his visit remained uncertain.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Pompeo Expected to Return From North Korea With U.S. Captives," 9 May 2018
After spending nearly five months incarcerated after a controversial sentence for violating probation, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered an immediate release for Mill on April 24.

— deena zaru, CNN, "Meek Mill's fight is not finished," 9 May 2018
So for its 30th-anniversary celebration this month, Goose Island has a host of local events and beer releases in store.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "Food & Drink / News Goose Island is celebrating its 30th anniversary with new brews and events in Chicago all month long," 9 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of release

Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

release Synonyms

Synonyms

ad, advertisement, announcement, bulletin, communiqué, notice, notification, posting;

bill, billboard, placard, playbill, poster, show bill, sign;

broadcast, cablecast, newscast, telecast;

advertising, billing, blurb, come-on, commercial, message, pitch, plugola, spot, word;

communication, dispatch, report;

annunciation, declaration, edict, proclamation, promulgation, pronouncement;

ballyhoo, boost, buildup, campaign, plug, promo, promotion, propaganda, publicity;

re-lease

verb \ (ˌ)rē-ˈlēs \

Definition of re-lease

transitive verb

: to lease again

First Known Use of re-lease

1828

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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RELEASE Defined for English Language Learners

release

verb

Definition of release for English Language Learners

: 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.

RELEASE Defined for Kids

release

verb re·lease \ ri-ˈlēs \

Definition of release for Students

released; releasing

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.

release

noun

Definition of release for Students

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

Law Dictionary

release

transitive verb re·lease

legal Definition of release

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

noun

legal Definition of release

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