relief

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noun re·lief \ri-ˈlēf\

Definition of relief

1 : a payment made by a male feudal tenant to his lord on succeeding to an inherited estate
2a : removal or lightening of something oppressive, painful, or distressingb : welfare 2ac : military assistance to an endangered post or forced : means of breaking or avoiding monotony or boredom : diversion
3 : release from a post or from the performance of duty
4 : one that takes the place of another on duty
5 : legal remedy or redress
6 [French, from Middle French, from Italian rilievo relievo] a : a mode of sculpture in which forms and figures are distinguished from a surrounding plane surfaceb : sculpture or a sculptural form executed in this modec : projecting detail, ornament, or figures
7a : sharpness of outline due to contrast a roof in bold relief against the skyb : the state of being distinguished by contrast throws the two opinions into bold relief
8 : the elevations or inequalities of a land surface
9 : the pitching done by a relief pitcher two innings of hitless relief

I felt such a sense of relief after I finished my thesis.
He expressed relief that the crisis was finally over.
Much to everyone's relief, the airplane took off without any problems.
What a relief it is to be back home.
Exercise is an excellent source of stress relief.
Both candidates promised tax relief for middle-class families.
Countries from around the world have been sending relief to the flood victims.
We donated to the relief effort for the hurricane victims.
My father lost his job and we had to go on relief.

Middle English relef, relief, from Anglo-French from relever to relieve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

adjective re·lief

1776

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noun

: a pleasant and relaxed feeling that someone has when something unpleasant stops or does not happen
: the removal or reducing of something that is painful or unpleasant
: things (such as food, money, or medicine) that are given to help people who are victims of a war, earthquake, flood, etc.

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noun re·lief \ri-ˈlēf\

1 : the feeling of happiness that occurs when something unpleasant or distressing stops or does not happen What a relief to be home safe.
2 : removal or lessening of something painful or troubling I need relief from this headache.
3 : something that interrupts in a welcome way The rain was a relief from dry weather.
4 : release from a post or from performance of a duty relief of a guard
5 : welfare 2
6 : a sculpture in which figures or designs are raised from a background
7 : elevations of a land surface The map shows relief.

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noun re·lief \ri-ˈlēf\

: removal or lightening of something oppressive or distressing relief of pain symptomatic relief

noun re·lief

: redress, assistance, or protection given by law especially from a court should state what relief the plaintiff seeks: as a : release from obligation or duty relief from judgment b : an order from a court granting a particular remedy (as return of property) injunctive relief declaratory relief — see also remedy