released; releasing
1
: to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude
release hostages
release pent-up emotions
release the brakes
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
: to move from one's normal position (as in football or basketball) in order to assume another position or to perform a second assignment
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
b
: the matter released
especially
: a statement prepared for the press
re-leased; re-leasing; re-leases
: to lease again
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
Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Lyons was released from Tottenham’s youth system at age 16 and fell into depression before dying by suicide 10 years later.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
During a court hearing Wednesday, Holmes set specific conditions for Abrego Garcia's release that included him living with his brother, a U.S. citizen, in Maryland.
—Ben Finley, Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for release
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
For every container of fireworks arriving at a U.S. port, importers must pay the tariff upfront, before customs even thinks about releasing the goods.
—Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Lyons was released from Tottenham’s youth system at age 16 and fell into depression before dying by suicide 10 years later.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Noun
No release or court information was available for Cunningham.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
During a court hearing Wednesday, Holmes set specific conditions for Abrego Garcia's release that included him living with his brother, a U.S. citizen, in Maryland.
—Ben Finley, Arkansas Online, 28 June 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
See All Example Sentences for release
Cite this Entry
“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/release. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
release
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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