release

verb re·lease \ ri-ˈlēs \

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 \-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

The Trump administration released a one-page set of goals in April for its tax overhaul, followed by a joint statement in July with congressional leaders.

— Washington Post, "Trump pushes tax overhaul to ‘bring back Main Street’," 31 Aug. 2017
Frito-Lay has been gradually releasing products under the new banner.

— jennifer kaplan, Bloomberg.com, "Organic Doritos Give Snack Giant a Way Into the New Whole Foods," 30 Aug. 2017
Engineers began releasing water from the Addicks and Barker reservoirs Monday to ease the strain on the dams.

— chicagotribune.com, "Harvey floods evacuee shelter in Port Arthur as storm makes second landfall in Louisiana," 30 Aug. 2017
The Cards' schedule should be released to the public in the coming weeks, but the basics are already out there.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville basketball | Rick Pitino reviews Cards' summer workouts, 'overjoyed' with team," 30 Aug. 2017
The 2017 AAA Consumer Pulse Survey released Wednesday found that 77 percent of Florida residents are making advance preparations for the storm season, a 17 percent increase over 2016.

— rebecca mcbane, South Florida Parenting, "Don't Wait for the Storm: The most important step in a Family Emergency Plan is to make one," 30 Aug. 2017
On July 11, single-day ticket lineups were announced for the upcoming KAABOO Del Mar, but today the third annual event went one step further with all performance times being released.

— leslie hackett, sandiegouniontribune.com, "KAABOO releases 2017 performance schedule," 30 Aug. 2017
Miley Cyrus writes and releases music that addresses some of the most personal issues in her life.

— brianna wiest, Teen Vogue, "Miley Cyrus Talks About Embracing Her "Hannah Montana" Past," 30 Aug. 2017
That first battle, fought at the Qala-i-Jangi fort, featured American personnel on horseback, using lasers to guide bombs released from jet aircraft.

— rod nordland, New York Times, "The Empire Stopper," 29 Aug. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

release Synonyms

Synonyms

loose, loosen, uncork, unleash, unlock, unloose, unloosen, let go

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

Tyrion secured his release via trial-by-combat, thanks to Bronn.

— elahe izadi, chicagotribune.com, "This one 'Game of Thrones' character is basically responsible for all the things," 30 Aug. 2017
Police responded to a call of shots fired and on arrival found a man with his hands in the air who identified himself to officers as a Chicago police officer, according to the release.

— staff report, Daily Southtown, "Police: Off-duty Chicago cop involved in fatal shooting in Hazel Crest," 30 Aug. 2017
But other convict cowboys with lighter sentences had little chance of continuing their careers upon their release.

— mitchel p. roth, Smithsonian, "Desegregation Came Early at the Texas Prison Rodeo," 30 Aug. 2017
The already-dire circumstances were complicated by the release of water from two reservoirs opened to relieve the stress caused by a downpour that was threatening to equal or exceed in just a few days the area’s average rainfall for a full year.

— kevin sullivan, Washington Post, "Full extent of Harvey’s aftermath starts to come into chilling focus," 28 Aug. 2017
Harris and Porter had signed with Washington last November, and both requested a release after former Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar was fired.

— tod palmer, kansascity, "Chance meeting reaffirmed Blake Harris’ decision to sign with Mizzou hoops," 26 Aug. 2017
The letter refers to the abstract of a grant proposal that originally included phrasing about salt marshes contributing to greenhouse gas release and climate change.

— christa marshall, Science | AAAS, "DOE denies it has policy to remove 'climate change' from agency materials," 25 Aug. 2017
Feb. 14, 2017: TMZ releases photos of Selena and Abel making out and relaxing on a luxury yacht in Marina Del Rey, California.

— diana bruk, Cosmopolitan, "Everything You Need to Know About Selena Gomez and The Weeknd’s Relationship," 24 Aug. 2017
Investigators obtained a warrant for her arrest Wednesday, according to a news release issued Thursday morning.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Bel Air woman charged in connection with Havre de Grace man's death," 24 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of release

Middle English reles, from Anglo-French, from relesser

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

release Synonyms

Synonyms

delivery, discharge, quietus, quittance

Related Words

dispensation, exemption, immunity, waiver

Near Antonyms

discomfort, unrest; agony, anguish, misery, suffering, torment, torture; ache, pain, pang, prick, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge

re-lease

verb \ (ˌ)rē-ˈlēs \

Definition of re-lease

transitive verb

:to lease again

First Known Use of re-lease

1828

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