release

ree-LEES/ɹəˈliːs/

Verbreleases, releasing, released

Noun pluralreleases

21 meanings of release

Practice

1
set freeverbtransitive
To set a person or animal free so they can move or go.
Like opening a cage door so a bird can fly away.
The zookeepers release the healed birds back into the forest.
The guards released the prisoner at dawn.
UsageSay release someone from prison.
Similarfree, liberate, discharge
Oppositedetain, imprison, capture, confine
2
publishverbtransitive
To make a film, record, product, or news available to the public, or to come out for people to see.
Like putting a new toy on the store shelf so anyone can buy it.
The band will release their new album next Friday.
The studio released the film in theaters last summer.
UsageA film is released or comes out.
Similarpublish, issue, launch, unveil, debut
Oppositewithhold, suppress
3
something put outnouncountable or uncountable
A new thing, like a movie or song, that has just been made available.
Like a brand-new book that has just arrived on the shelf.
The new release sold out within hours.
Fans lined up for the latest release from their favorite studio.
UsageSay a new release.
Similaroffering, title
4
stop holdingverbtransitive
To stop holding something so it can fall, move, or go free.
Like opening your hand to let a balloon float up into the sky.
Release the rope slowly so the bucket doesn't drop too fast.
She released his hand and stepped back.
Similarloosen, relax, relinquish, free
Oppositegrip, grasp, hold
5
freedom (event)nouncountable or uncountable
The act of setting a person, animal, or thing free.
Like the moment a door opens and a trapped bird flies out.
The release of the hostages brought relief to their families.
Crowds gathered to celebrate the prisoner's release.
UsageSay the release of the prisoners.
Similarfreedom, liberation, discharge
Oppositecapture, detention, imprisonment
Note
6
software versionnouncountable or uncountable
A new or updated version of a computer program that is given out to users.
Like a new edition of a book, printed with fixes and improvements.
The latest release fixed many bugs in the app.
Users downloaded the release as soon as it appeared.
Similarlaunch, rollout, version
Note
7
give offverbtransitive
To send out or let out something, such as gas, liquid, or energy.
Like a kettle letting steam escape from its spout.
Factories release smoke into the air through tall chimneys.
The engine released a puff of smoke.
Similardischarge, emit, expel, vent
Oppositeabsorb, retain
8
free from dutyverbtransitive
To free someone from a duty or promise they had to keep.
Like being told you no longer have to finish a chore.
The coach released the players from practice early.
They agreed to release her from the contract.
UsageSay release someone from a debt.
Similardischarge, free, absolve, excuse, exempt
Oppositebind, obligate
Note
9
outflow (chemical)nouncountable or uncountable
The way a chemical is let out into the body or its surroundings.
Like opening a bottle so the gas inside can escape.
The release of insulin helps control blood sugar.
Exercise triggers the release of certain brain chemicals.
UsageSay the release of dopamine.
Similarsecretion, discharge, emission
Note

Less common meanings

10
reliefnouncountable or uncountable
A feeling of freedom from pain or worry.
Like the relief you feel when you finally put down a heavy bag.
The warm bath gave her a sense of release from the day's aches.
Crying brought him a feeling of release after weeks of stress.
UsageSay release from pain.
Similarrelief, comfort, ease, consolation, solace
11
freed thingnouncountable or uncountable
Something that has been set free, untied, or let go.
Like a fish put back into the river after being caught.
The turtles were the park's first releases of the summer.
Every release from the bird center gets a small band on its leg.
12
catch (device)nouncountable
A button, lever, or catch on a machine that you press or move to let a part go or start working.
Press the release on the side of the car seat to lift it off the base.
Pull the release under the seat to slide it forward.
Similarcatch, latch
Note
13
pass (football)verbtransitive
To pass the ball to a teammate so they get a clear chance to score.
Like opening a door so a runner can sprint straight through.
The midfielder will release the striker with a perfect pass.
A quick ball through the middle can release the winger behind the defense.
UsageYou release a teammate.
Similarfree
Note
14
legal waivernouncountable or uncountable
The act of giving up a legal claim, especially money that someone owes you.
Like tearing up an IOU so the person no longer has to pay you back.
The lender agreed to a release of the debt, so the family owed nothing more.
Once the release was signed, the old claim could not be enforced.
Similarwaiver, discharge, relinquishment
Note
15
give up rightsverbtransitive
To give up a legal right or claim, or to hand over rights to land to someone else.
Like signing away your share of something so it fully belongs to someone else.
She agreed to release her claim to the inheritance.
The heirs released their rights to the family farm.
Similarrelinquish, waive, surrender, renounce, cede
Note
16
orgasmnouncountable or uncountable
A polite word for the peak moment of sexual pleasure, known as orgasm.
Their lovemaking built slowly to a shared release.
He held back, delaying his release as long as he could.
Similarclimax, satisfaction
17
semennouncountable or uncountable
A slang word for semen that has been ejaculated.
He wiped away the release with a tissue.
He wiped his release off the sheet with a towel.
Similarsemen, ejaculate
18
verb
To end a phone call by hanging up.
19
noun
In jazz, the part of a tune that breaks away from the main melody before it returns.
20
noun
The way a sound stops or fades away at its end.
21
noun
On old railways, a printed card carrying messages and orders for sidings that had no telegraph.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of release apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old French relaisser, which came into Middle English as relesen.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Release derives from Old French relaisser. en.wiktionary.org
Old French relaisser was borrowed into Middle English as relesen. en.wiktionary.org