discharge
1 of 2verb
dis·charge dis-ˈchärj 
ˈdis-ˌchärj
discharged; discharging; discharges
transitive verb
1
: to relieve of a charge, load, or burden:
a
: unload
discharge a cargo ship
b
: to release from an obligation
will be discharged from further payment
c
electrical engineering : to release electrical energy from (something, such as a battery or capacitor) by a discharge (see discharge entry 2 sense 9b)
discharging electricity from a battery
2
a
: to let or put off
discharge passengers
discharge cargo
b
: shoot
discharge an arrow
c
: to release from confinement, custody, or care
discharge a prisoner
discharge a patient
d
: to give outlet or vent to : emit
discharge emotions
vehicles discharging exhaust fumes
3
a(1)
: to dismiss from employment
had to discharge several employees last month
(2)
: to release from service or duty
discharge a soldier
was discharged from the Navy
b
: to get rid of (something, such as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate action (such as payment)
failing to discharge their debts
c
law : to set aside or dismiss : annul
discharge a court order
d
: to order (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill (see bill entry 4 sense 6) in order to bring it before the house (see house entry 1 sense 6a) for action
4
: to bear and distribute (something, such as the weight of a wall above an opening)
5
: to bleach out or remove (color or dye) in dyeing and printing textiles
6
: to cancel the record of the loan of (a library book) upon return
intransitive verb
1
a
: to throw off or deliver a load, charge, or burden
b
: to release electrical energy by a discharge (see discharge entry 2 sense 9b)
ensure that the electricity discharges safely
2
a
: go off, fire —used of a gun
His weapon discharged.
b
: spread, run
some dyes discharge
c
: to pour forth fluid or other contents
where the river discharges into the ocean
dischargeable
dis-ˈchär-jə-bəl
adjective ˈdis-ˌchär-
dischargee
(ˌ)dis-ˌchär-ˈjē
noun discharger
dis-ˈchär-jər
noun ˈdis-ˌchär-
discharge
2 of 2noun
dis·charge ˈdis-ˌchärj
dis-ˈchärj
1
a
: the act of relieving of something that oppresses : release
b
: something that discharges or releases
especially : a certification of release or payment
produced the discharge as evidence
2
: the state of being discharged or relieved
3
: the act of discharging or unloading
her discharge from the hospital
4
law : release from confinement
a record of prison discharges
5
: a firing off
the discharge of a weapon
6
a
: a flowing or issuing out
a discharge of spores
a discharge of mucus
also : a rate of flow
controlling the discharge of water
b
: something that is emitted
a purulent discharge
a clear discharge from the eyes and nose
7
law : the act of removing an obligation or liability (see liability sense 2)
received a full discharge from his creditors
8
a
: release or dismissal especially from an office or employment
suing for wrongful discharge
b
: complete separation from military service
her discharge from the Navy
an honorable discharge
9
a
physics : the equalization of a difference of electric potential (see potential entry 2 sense 2c) between two points
b
energy engineering : the conversion of the chemical energy of a battery into electrical energy
Synonyms
Verb
- blast
- fire
- loose
- shoot
- squeeze off
Noun
- blasting
- firing
- shot
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She's due to be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday. We had to discharge several employees last week. Thousands of soldiers were discharged after the war. The judge discharged the jury. The ship discharged missiles against enemy targets. The gun failed to discharge. Noun The doctors approved her discharge from the hospital. Several former employees are suing the company for wrongful discharge. After his discharge from the military, he went to college to become a teacher. The damage was caused by accidental discharge of a hunting rifle. a rapid discharge from a gun See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Anjali Huynh, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2022 Should every Republican in committee vote against Jackson, thereby deadlocking the panel, Schumer would have to move to discharge her nomination. Monica Dunn, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2022 Under the Senate rules adopted last year, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) can file a motion to discharge a nominee from a deadlocked and divided committee. Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2022 Schumer will then move to discharge the nomination directly to the floor, which requires a majority vote. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2022 Find suitable new guidelines to discharge patients as soon as possible. Hamza Al-kateab, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 Edward also was able to discharge 26 COVID patients between Monday and Tuesday, pushing the number of people successfully treated to more than 3,100 over the course of the pandemic, hospital data shows. Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 5 Jan. 2022 To free up beds for acutely ill patients, WellSpan has also been working with a community partner to discharge patients to skilled nursing facilities for longer-term care. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2021 If a patient gets off track, their physician or payer can access and leverage notifications alerting them of an emergency department visit, discharge and care instructions. Rob Cohen, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 The program will benefit about 43 million borrowers and result in the discharge of about $400 billion in student debt, according to a report released Wednesday by Goldman Sachs. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 The policy will deliver the single largest discharge of education debt on record. Danielle Douglas-gabriel And Jeff Stein, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Aug. 2022 Omar Fermin, 54, of the 7700 block of Fullerton Avenue, Elmwood Park, on July 25 was charged with reckless discharge of a weapon in the 7300 block of West Grand Avenue. Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 The policy will deliver the single largest discharge of education debt on record. Danielle Douglas-gabriel And Jeff Stein, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 The desalination process, which typically includes the discharge of hypersaline brine back into the ocean, has been criticized for negatively affecting marine life near facilities, as well as high energy consumption. Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Croatia complies with the International Maritime Organisation's Annex IV to MARPOL, prohibiting the discharge of black water at sea within 12 nautical miles of land unless it's been or treated by a sewerage pump. Heather Farmbrough, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Police are investigating the discharge of several rounds of gunshots fired around 2:04 a.m. March 21 in the 300 block of Harrison Street. chicagotribune.com, 25 Mar. 2022 See More
Verb
During summer 2021, a record 35 inches of precipitation helped discharge over 126 million gallons of sewage and storm water into the river — the volume of 36 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to the report. Anjali Huynh, BostonGlobe.com, 20 July 2022 Should every Republican in committee vote against Jackson, thereby deadlocking the panel, Schumer would have to move to discharge her nomination. Monica Dunn, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2022 Under the Senate rules adopted last year, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) can file a motion to discharge a nominee from a deadlocked and divided committee. Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2022 Schumer will then move to discharge the nomination directly to the floor, which requires a majority vote. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2022 Find suitable new guidelines to discharge patients as soon as possible. Hamza Al-kateab, CNN, 22 Mar. 2022 Edward also was able to discharge 26 COVID patients between Monday and Tuesday, pushing the number of people successfully treated to more than 3,100 over the course of the pandemic, hospital data shows. Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 5 Jan. 2022 To free up beds for acutely ill patients, WellSpan has also been working with a community partner to discharge patients to skilled nursing facilities for longer-term care. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2021 If a patient gets off track, their physician or payer can access and leverage notifications alerting them of an emergency department visit, discharge and care instructions. Rob Cohen, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 Noun
The judge, however, also gave three district attorneys who opposed the motion until January to monitor the discharge of patients and provide alternatives that could aid the hospital admissions crisis. oregonlive, 29 Aug. 2022 The program will benefit about 43 million borrowers and result in the discharge of about $400 billion in student debt, according to a report released Wednesday by Goldman Sachs. Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2022 The policy will deliver the single largest discharge of education debt on record. Danielle Douglas-gabriel And Jeff Stein, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Aug. 2022 Omar Fermin, 54, of the 7700 block of Fullerton Avenue, Elmwood Park, on July 25 was charged with reckless discharge of a weapon in the 7300 block of West Grand Avenue. Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 The policy will deliver the single largest discharge of education debt on record. Danielle Douglas-gabriel And Jeff Stein, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 The desalination process, which typically includes the discharge of hypersaline brine back into the ocean, has been criticized for negatively affecting marine life near facilities, as well as high energy consumption. Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Croatia complies with the International Maritime Organisation's Annex IV to MARPOL, prohibiting the discharge of black water at sea within 12 nautical miles of land unless it's been or treated by a sewerage pump. Heather Farmbrough, Forbes, 25 July 2022 Police are investigating the discharge of several rounds of gunshots fired around 2:04 a.m. March 21 in the 300 block of Harrison Street. chicagotribune.com, 25 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French descharger, from Late Latin discarricare, from Latin dis- + Late Latin carricare to load — more at charge entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing discharge
Kids Definition
discharge 1 of 2
verb
dis·charge dis-ˈchärj
discharged; discharging
1
: to allow to leave or get off
The patient was discharged from the hospital.
2
: to dismiss from service
discharge a worker
3
: to free of a load or burden : unload
discharge a ship
4
: shoot entry 1 sense 2
discharge a gun
5
: to cause to shoot out of
discharge a bullet
6
: to pour forth fluid or other contents
The chimney discharged smoke.
7
: to get rid of by paying or doing
discharge a debt
He discharged his responsibilities.
discharge
2 of 2noun
dis·charge ˈdis-ˌchärj
1
: the release of someone from a place The doctor approved her discharge from the hospital.
2
: the release from a duty or debt
3
: a certificate of release or payment
4
: the act of firing a person from a job
5
: an end of a person's military service
6
: an act of firing off
a gun's discharge
7
: something that flows out
The discharge was coming from a pipe.
Medical Definition
discharge 1 of 2
verb
dis·charge dis(h)-ˈchärj ˈdis(h)-ˌ
ˈdis(h)-ˌ discharged; discharging
transitive verb
1
: to release from confinement, custody, or care
discharge a patient from the hospital
2
a
: to give outlet to or emit
a boil discharging pus
b
: to release or give expression to (a pent-up emotion or a repressed impulse)
discharged his anxiety by working out with a punching bag
intransitive verb
: to pour forth fluid or other contents
discharge
2 of 2noun
dis·charge ˈdis(h)-ˌchärj dis(h)-ˈ
dis(h)-ˈ 1
: the act of relieving of something
discharge of a repressed impulse
2
: release from confinement, custody, or care
returned to work the day after discharge from the hospital
3
: something that is emitted or evacuated
a purulent discharge from a wound
a thick white vaginal discharge
Legal Definition
discharge 1 of 2
transitive verb
dis·charge dis-ˈchärj, ˈdis-ˌchärj
1
: to release from an obligation: as
a
: to relieve of a duty under an instrument (as a contract or a negotiable instrument)
also : to render (an instrument) no longer enforceable
a formal instrument…may be discharged by either cancellation or surrender J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo
J. D. Calamari and J. M. Perillo b
: to release (a debtor in bankruptcy) from liability for his or her debts
2
: to release from confinement, custody, or care
discharge a prisoner
3
a
: to dismiss from employment : terminate the employment of
b
: to release from service or duty
discharge a jury
discharge a witness
4
a
: to get rid of (as a debt or obligation) by performing an appropriate action
b
: to fulfill a requirement for
evidence which is required to discharge the burden of going forward W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.5
: to order (a legislative committee) to end consideration of a bill in order to bring it before the house for action
discharge
2 of 2noun
dis·charge ˈdis-ˌchärj
1
a
: the act of relieving of something that burdens or oppresses : release
b
: something that discharges or releases
especially : a certification of or a document proving release or payment
2
: the state of being discharged or released
a party seeking a total discharge
3
: release from confinement
ordering a conditional discharge of the alien on habeas corpus Harvard Law Review
Harvard Law Review4
: the act of removing an obligation or liability (as by payment of a debt or performance of a duty)
5
a
: a dismissal from employment or office
— constructive discharge
: discharge of an employee effected by making the employee's working conditions so intolerable that he or she reasonably feels compelled to resign
— retaliatory discharge
: a wrongful discharge that is done in retaliation for an employee's conduct (as reporting an employer's criminal activity) and that clearly violates public policy
— wrongful discharge
: discharge of an employee for illegal reasons or for reasons that are contrary to public policy (as in retaliation for the employee's refusal to engage in unlawful activity)
b
: a release from service or duty
discharge 1 of 2
noun
1
as in firing
a directed propelling of a missile by a firearm or artillery piece the thunderous discharge of the cannons Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- firing
- blasting
- bombardment
- barrage
- volley
- shot
- burst
- shower
- blitz
- hail
- drumfire
- salvo
- cannonade
- storm
- fusillade
- blitzkrieg
- potshot
- broadside
2
as in release
a freeing from an obligation or responsibility a full discharge from responsibility for the accident Synonyms & Similar Words
- release
- delivery
- waiver
- exemption
- quittance
- dispensation
- quietus
- immunity
3
as in dismissal
the termination of the employment of an employee or a work force often temporarily she was resentful over what she felt was a wrongful discharge Synonyms & Similar Words
- dismissal
- firing
- furlough
- layoff
- ax
- pink slip
- closing
- shutdown
- sack
- redundancy
- axe
- boot
- bum's rush
- downsizing
- bird
- shakeout
- heave-ho
- shake-up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reemployment
- recall
- callback
- rehiring
- rehire
4
as in execution
the doing of an action aided in the discharge of his duties by a capable assistant Synonyms & Similar Words
- execution
- fulfillment
- fulfilment
- implementation
- perpetration
- prosecution
- performance
- accomplishment
- handling
- management
- application
- achievement
- enactment
- pursuance
- administration
- commission
- operation
- dispatch
- expedition
- practice
- direction
- practise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonperformance
- nonfulfillment
discharge
2 of 2verb
1
as in to fire
to cause (a projectile) to be driven forward with force Robert Goddard was the first to discharge a rocket containing an instrument package Synonyms & Similar Words
- fire
- shoot
- launch
- squeeze off
- loose
- blast
- throw
- hurl
- project
- fling
- sling
- snipe (at)
- toss
- cast
- catapult
- blaze (at)
- heave
- hurtle
- pelt
- lob
- pitch
2
as in to unload
to empty or rid of cargo docks for discharging containerships Synonyms & Similar Words
- unload
- evacuate
- disencumber
- disburden
- unlade
- relieve
- free
- unburden
- off-load
- unpack
- empty
- void
- vacate
- lighten
- clear
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- load
- pack
- charge
- fill
- heap
- jam
- stuff
- cram
- jam-pack
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for discharge a debt in full Synonyms & Similar Words
- pay
- balance
- meet
- pay off
- pay up
- foot
- settle
- liquidate
- clear
- recompense
- stand
- pony up
- quit
- spring (for)
- ante (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repudiate
4
as in to release
to set free (as from slavery or confinement) discharged the prisoners upon the signing of the peace treaty Synonyms & Similar Words
- release
- free
- rescue
- liberate
- spring
- save
- manumit
- emancipate
- loose
- turn loose
- disenthrall
- unfetter
- loosen
- enfranchise
- uncage
- parole
- enlarge
- unbind
- disenthral
- unchain
- disencumber
- disengage
- redeem
- bail (out)
- deliver
- ransom
- disembarrass
- extricate
- disentangle
- unshackle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- restrain
- confine
- bind
- jail
- fetter
- commit
- shackle
- lock (up)
- imprison
- intern
- handcuff
- trammel
- subjugate
- enchain
- subdue
- conquer
- immure
- manacle
- enslave
- incarcerate
5
as in to expel
to throw or give off the mighty river discharges its waters into the ocean Synonyms & Similar Words
- release
- expel
- cast
- radiate
- emit
- issue
- emanate
- vent
- exhale
- eliminate
- shoot
- throw out
- evacuate
- evolve
- eject
- pour
- irradiate
- excrete
- give out
- spray
- ooze
- send (out)
- expire
- gush
- squirt
- jet
- secrete
- erupt
- exude
- outpour
- spurt
- spew
- spout
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- absorb
- take up
- inhale
- sponge
- soak (up)
- suck (up)
6
as in to shoot
to cause a weapon to release a missile with great force felt a strong recoil as the rifle discharged Synonyms & Similar Words
- fire
- shoot
- blast
- blaze
- pepper
- snipe
- potshot
- plink
7
as in to sack
to let go from office, service, or employment 15 people were discharged when the embezzling ring was discovered Synonyms & Similar Words
- sack
- remove
- release
- fire
- dismiss
- retire
- terminate
- muster out
- turn off
- excess
- can
- cashier
- send packing
- bounce
- pink-slip
- ax
- lay off
- show (someone) the door
- furlough
- kick out
- axe
- separate
- downsize
- throw out
- trim
- drum (out)
- chuck (out)
- unseat
- boot (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- retain
- engage
- employ
- hire
- sign (up or on)
- keep
- take on
- contract
- reemploy
- rehire
- recruit
- subcontract
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of discharge are accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.
discharged his duties
The words accomplish and discharge can be used in similar contexts, but accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.
accomplished everything they set out to do
Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.
achieve greatness
Effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.
effected sweeping reforms
While in some cases nearly identical to discharge, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.
executed the hit-and-run
The words fulfill and discharge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.
fulfilled their ambitions
While the synonyms perform and discharge are close in meaning, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.
performed gymnastics