release

verb (1)

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re·lease | \ ri-ˈlēs

released; releasing

Definition of release

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

release

noun

Definition of release (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering, or trouble

2a : 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

3a : 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

7a : 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

re-lease

verb (2)

\ (ˌ)rē-ˈlēs

re-leased; re-leasing; re-leases

Definition of re-lease (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to lease again

Other Words from release Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing release Learn More About release

Choose the Right Synonym for release

Verb (1)

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Streaming giant Netflix will release the posthumous special, titled Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special — a moniker the comedian chose himself — on May 30. — Kat Bouza, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2022 Copper IUDs release copper ions into the uterine cavity, which are toxic to sperm. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2022 No Way Home and the MGM/Universal Pictures release No Time to Die, the latest in the evergreen James Bond franchise, topped the European box office charts. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 May 2022 Apple may release its next GaN charger in 2022, which supports about 30W and has a new form factor design. — Yoni Heisler, BGR, 12 May 2022 The latest: The government will release data on consumer prices for the year to April later today. — Julia Horowitz, CNN, 11 May 2022 The Interior Department will release the first volume of a report today that'll begin to uncover the truth about the federal government's past oversight of Native American boarding schools. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 11 May 2022 Aiming in a safe direction, release the pressure washer trigger lock and press the trigger to purge air from the setup, leaving it on until water comes out of the wand. — Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2022 The company will release its first-quarter earnings on Thursday. — Julie Steinberg, WSJ, 11 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The sister duo composed of Aly Michalka, 33, and AJ Michalka, 31, also spoke about the tour in a press release. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE.com, 12 May 2022 The genre-defying Chicago band also hinted at new music set to arrive this year, in a press release. — Annie Nickoloff, cleveland, 11 May 2022 Eccker Sports announced the partnership in a press release Tuesday morning. — Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 10 May 2022 In the press release, Fidelity executives noted that the new product is a response to heavy demand from both companies and employees. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 9 May 2022 The national average is $4.32, which is 13 cents higher than last week, but 7 cents lower than the Massachusetts average, AAA said in a press release. — Matt Yan, BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2022 Previously purchased tickets for the AJR show will be honored for the new date, Riverbend said in a press release. — Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 9 May 2022 Davila opened the door and exited the airplane, walked onto the wing of the aircraft and jumped onto the airfield, the Chicago Police Department said in a press release sent to USA TODAY. — Maria Jimenez Moya, USA TODAY, 6 May 2022 The Justice Department said in a press release that Fijian law enforcement executed the seizure of the Cayman-Islands flagged vessel Thursday. — Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 May 2022 See More

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.

Learn More About release

Dictionary Entries Near release

releasability

release

re-lease

Statistics for release

Last Updated

15 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/release. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for release

release

verb

re·lease | \ ri-ˈlēs

released; releasing

Kids Definition of release

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Kids Definition of release (Entry 2 of 2)

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

release

transitive verb

re·lease

released; releasing

Legal Definition of release

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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