releases

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of release.

   The label scheduled several album releases ahead of the holidays.

   The agency sent out two press releases about the merger.

   Note

   The plural belongs to the countable uses of release: new releases on a shelf, the releases of several hostages, a creditor's releases of debts. When release names a state rather than an event, as in release from pain, it usually stays singular. The same spelling also serves the present-tense verb, so in a headline like "Studio releases" only the next word shows which is meant.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of release.

   The company releases its earnings report at the end of each quarter.

   The dam releases water downstream whenever the reservoir runs high.

   Note

   Every use of the verb is transitive, so this form wants an object straight after it: the company releases its report, the dam releases water, an operator releases a call. Because release already ends in e, the form adds only -s. It pairs with a singular subject in the present tense. With they or the companies, the form is plain release.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2