release

noun

UK /rɪˈliːs/

Word Forms

singular	release
plural	releases

1
uncountable the act of letting someone leave a place such as a prison or hospital
release of:
The release of Nelson Mandela was watched by millions of people on TV.
release from:
He was taken home on his release from hospital.
secure someone’s release:
The Foreign Office has finally secured her release from prison.
Synonyms and related words
Getting out of prison
bail
bail out
be (released) on licence
1. 1a
  the act of letting an animal leave the place where you have been keeping it
  Synonyms and related words
  Freedom and independence
  autarky
  freedom
  independence
2
uncountable sciencea situation in which something such as a chemical is spread into the area or atmosphere around it
We’re doing all we can to prevent the release of toxic waste into the oceans.
Synonyms and related words
Environmental issues
anthropogenic
biodegradable
biohazard
3
uncountable the act of making something available
release of:
the release of secret government information
Synonyms and related words
The process of giving or supplying
supply
provision
distribution
1. 3a
  countable/uncountable the action of making a new film, game, or other product available for people to use, see, or buy
  Consumers and gadget lovers are eagerly awaiting the release of the new iPad.
  We knew that the game’s release was imminent.
2. 3b
  countable a new film, game, or other product that is available for people to see or buy
  The band’s latest release is called ‘White Clouds’.
  Synonyms and related words
  Things for sale and things bought
  merch
  product
  goods
3. 3c
  computinga new version of software
  Rushing for the latest release is certainly not in the best interests of every user.
  Synonyms and related words
  Computer software
  accounting package
  ad blocker
  address book
4
countable/uncountable the act of moving a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in
Synonyms and related words
To unfasten, or to come unfastened
unfasten
undo
detach
1. 4a
  countable a part on a piece of equipment that you push or pull to release it
  Synonyms and related words
  Knobs and switches on machinery and equipment
  actuator
  console
  control
5
singular/uncountable a feeling of freedom that you have after a difficult or emotional experience
Synonyms and related words
Freedom and independence
autarky
freedom
independence
6
countable/uncountable an opportunity or permission not to do something
The weekend was a much-needed release from work.
Synonyms and related words
General words for permission
permission
consent
approval

phrases

on (general) release

release

noun

US /rɪˈlis/

Word Forms

singular	release
plural	releases

1
uncountable the act of letting someone leave a place such as a prison or hospital
release of:
The release of Nelson Mandela was watched by millions of people on TV.
release from:
He was taken home on his release from the hospital.
secure someone’s release:
The Foreign Office has finally secured her release from prison.
Synonyms and related words
Getting out of prison
bail
bail out
be (released) on license
1. 1a
  the act of letting an animal leave the place where you have been keeping it
  Synonyms and related words
  Freedom and independence
  autarky
  freedom
  independence
2
uncountable sciencea situation in which something such as a chemical is spread into the area or atmosphere around it
We’re doing all we can to prevent the release of toxic waste into the oceans.
Synonyms and related words
Environmental issues
anthropogenic
biodegradable
biohazard
3
uncountable the act of making something available
release of:
the release of secret government information
Synonyms and related words
The process of giving or supplying
supply
provision
distribution
1. 3a
  countable/uncountable the action of making a new movie, game, or other product available for people to use, see, or buy
  Consumers and gadget lovers are eagerly awaiting the release of the new iPad.
  We knew that the game’s release was imminent.
2. 3b
  countable a new movie, game, or other product that is available for people to see or buy
  The band’s latest release is called “White Clouds.”
  Synonyms and related words
  Things for sale and things bought
  merch
  product
  goods
3. 3c
  computinga new version of software
  Rushing for the latest release is certainly not in the best interests of every user.
  Synonyms and related words
  Computer software
  accounting package
  ad blocker
  address book
4
countable/uncountable the act of moving a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in
Synonyms and related words
To unfasten, or to come unfastened
unfasten
undo
detach
1. 4a
  countable a part on a piece of equipment that you push or pull to release it
  Synonyms and related words
  Knobs and switches on machinery and equipment
  actuator
  console
  control
5
singular/uncountable a feeling of freedom that you have after a difficult or emotional experience
Synonyms and related words
Freedom and independence
autarky
freedom
independence
6
countable/uncountable an opportunity or permission not to do something
The weekend was a much-needed release from work.
Synonyms and related words
General words for permission
permission
consent
approval

phrases

on (general) release

release

verb transitive

UK /rɪˈliːs/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	release
he/she/it	releases
present participle	releasing
past tense	released
past participle	released

1
to let someone leave a place where they have been kept
The authorities had recently released two political prisoners.
The hostages are due to be released at 2 pm today.
release someone from something:
He was released from prison in July.
Synonyms and related words
To set a person or animal free
let out
release
untie
1. 1a
  to let someone leave a hospital or other place where they have been having medical treatment
  He was taken to a local hospital but released after a check-up.
  Synonyms and related words
  The work or job of a doctor or nurse
  admit
  bedside manner
  be on call
2. 1b
  to let an animal leave a place where you have been keeping it
  Fully recovered, the birds can now be released back into the wild.
  release something from something:
  The tiger was accidentally released from its cage.
  Synonyms and related words
  To set a person or animal free
  let out
  release
  untie
3. 1c
  to save someone from a place that they are unable to leave
  The men were released by firemen after becoming trapped in a lift.
  Synonyms and related words
  To set a person or animal free
  let out
  release
  untie
2
to stop holding something
She slowly released her grip on Louisa’s hand.
Synonyms and related words
To stop holding or touching something
release
let go (of someone/something)
take/get your hands off
1. 2a
  to stop holding something so that it goes up into the air or falls from a height
  Six hundred balloons were released at the ceremony.
  Synonyms and related words
  To stop holding or touching something
  release
  let go (of someone/something)
  take/get your hands off
3
scienceto let a substance or energy spread into the area or atmosphere around it, especially as part of a chemical reaction
Cooking the grain will release the starch from the outside coating.
release something into something:
Oxygen from the water is released into the atmosphere.
Synonyms and related words
Environmental issues
anthropogenic
biodegradable
biohazard
4
to move a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in
Don’t forget to release the handbrake.
Synonyms and related words
To unfasten, or to come unfastened
unfasten
undo
detach
5
to get rid of a negative feeling, especially one that you have had for a long time
Take a long walk to release all that pent-up aggression.
Synonyms and related words
To show or express emotions
show
display
manifest
6
to make information or documents available
Managers have released few details from yesterday’s meeting.
These are the first police accident statistics to be released.
Synonyms and related words
To give information to many people
announce
disclose
broadcast
1. 6a
  to make a film, game, album etc available for people to see or buy
  They have just released their second album.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for to produce goods
  productise
  productize
  produce
7
formalto allow someone not to have to do something
release someone from something:
We were released from our classes in order to take part in the celebration.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control

release

verb transitive

US /rɪˈlis/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	release
he/she/it	releases
present participle	releasing
past tense	released
past participle	released

1
to let someone leave a place where they have been kept
The authorities had recently released two political prisoners.
The hostages are due to be released at 2 p.m. today.
release someone from something:
He was released from prison in July.
release someone on bail (=let someone go free until their trial after an amount of money is paid):
Two men were arrested and then released on bail.
Synonyms and related words
To set a person or animal free
let out
release
untie
1. 1a
  to let someone leave a hospital or other place where they have been having medical treatment
  He was taken to a local hospital but released after a check-up.
  Synonyms and related words
  The work or job of a doctor or nurse
  admit
  bedside manner
  be on call
2. 1b
  to let an animal leave a place where you have been keeping it
  Fully recovered, the birds can now be released back into the wild.
  release something from something:
  The tiger was accidentally released from its cage.
  Synonyms and related words
  To set a person or animal free
  let out
  release
  untie
3. 1c
  to save someone from a place that they are unable to leave
  The men were released by firemen after becoming trapped in a elevator.
  Synonyms and related words
  To set a person or animal free
  let out
  release
  untie
2
to stop holding something
She slowly released her grip on Louisa’s hand.
Synonyms and related words
To stop holding or touching something
release
let go (of someone/something)
take/get your hands off
1. 2a
  to stop holding something so that it goes up into the air or falls from a height
  Six hundred balloons were released at the ceremony.
  Synonyms and related words
  To stop holding or touching something
  release
  let go (of someone/something)
  take/get your hands off
3
scienceto let a substance or energy spread into the area or atmosphere around it, especially as part of a chemical reaction
Cooking the grain will release the starch from the outside coating.
release something into something:
Oxygen from the water is released into the atmosphere.
Synonyms and related words
Environmental issues
anthropogenic
biodegradable
biohazard
4
to make information or documents available
Managers have released few details from yesterday’s meeting.
These are the first police accident statistics to be released.
Synonyms and related words
To give information to many people
announce
disclose
broadcast
1. 4a
  to make a movie, game, album, etc. available for people to see or buy
  They have just released their second album.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for to produce goods
  productise
  productize
  produce
5
to move a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in
Don’t forget to release the handbrake.
Synonyms and related words
To unfasten, or to come unfastened
unfasten
undo
detach
6
to get rid of a negative feeling, especially one that you have had for a long time
Take a long walk to release all that pent-up aggression.
Synonyms and related words
To show or express emotions
show
display
manifest
7
formalto allow someone not to have to do something
release someone from something:
We were released from our classes in order to take part in the celebration.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control

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