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release definition

re·lease (ri lēs)

transitive verb released -·leased′, releasing -·leas′·ing

  1. to set free, as from confinement, duty, work, etc.
  2. to let go or let loose to release an arrow
  3. to grant freedom from a tax, penalty, obligation, etc.
  4. to set free from pain, cares, etc.; relieve
  5. ☆ to permit to be issued, shown, published, broadcast, etc.; put into circulation
  6. Law to give up or surrender to someone else (a claim, right, etc.)

Etymology: ME relesen < OFr relaisser < L relaxare: see relax

noun

  1. a setting free or being set free; deliverance; liberation
  2. a freeing or being freed from a tax, obligation, etc.
    1. a relief from pain, cares, etc.
    2. relief from emotional tension through a spontaneous, uninhibited expression of an emotion
  3. a document authorizing release, as from an obligation, from prison, etc.
  4. the act of letting loose something caught, held in position, etc.
  5. a device to release a catch, etc., as for starting or stopping a machine
    1. the act of releasing a book, film, news story, etc. to the public
    2. the book, film, news story, etc. released
  6. Music
    1. the act or method of ending a tone
    2. ☆ the third group of eight measures in a common form of 32-bar chorus, as in a popular tune, which supplies a bridge between repetitions of the melody
  7. Law
    1. a giving up or surrender to someone else, as of a claim or right
    2. the document by which this is done; quitclaim

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
release Synonyms

release

n.

  1. Freedom

    liberation, discharge, deliverance; see freedom 1, 2, freeing, relief 1, 3.

  2. That which has been released; usually, printed matter

    announcement, statement, press release, news story, publicity, news flash, public notice, new song, new movie, latest publication, recent stock, propaganda.


release

v.

free, liberate, deliver, discharge, let go, acquit, loose, exempt, open up, give out for circulation, issue, publish, set free, let out, get out, bail out, hand over, let off, rescue, let loose, clear, untie, loosen, emancipate; see also free 1, publish 1.

Antonyms imprison, confine, suppress. See syn. study at free.free.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

release Usage Examples

Object

  • album: They will perform a half hour show to release the great first album.

Adjective modifier

  • immediate: DEMAND: Immediate release of all political prisoners, Immediate repeal of all repressive laws.

Converse of object

  • announce: Today, Kineo is pleased to announce the release of a new e-learning program on Diversity.

Noun used with modifier

  • press: Press Releases To view the latest press releases click on a title on the main page.

Preposition: of

  • prisoner: DEMAND: Immediate release of all political prisoners, Immediate repeal of all repressive laws.

Preposition: from

  • custody: Onward referrals should be set up for those on release from custody to provide offenders with continuing support once back in the community.

Modifies a noun

  • date: Wright's books often have different release dates on the two sides of the pond.
release usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

release quotes

Each individual work serves as an expression of our most personal state of mind at that particular moment and of the inescapable, imperative need for release by means of an appropriate act of creation: in the rhythm, form, colour and mood of a picture.

-Feininger, Lyonel

Come sleep,O sleep, the certain knot of peace, The baiting place of wit, the balm of woe, The poor man's wealth, the prisoner's release, The indifferent judge between the high and low.

-Shute, Nevil originally Nevil Shute Norway

So writing ismy sole remaining vice.It is an addiction, an illusory release, a presumptuous taming of reality, a way of expressing lightly the unbearable.

-Updike,John Hoyer

release quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"release." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/release>

APA Style

release. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/release

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