released; releasing
1
: to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude
release hostages
release pent-up emotions
release the brakes
2
: to relieve from something that confines, burdens, or oppresses
was released from her promise
3
: to give up in favor of another : relinquish
release a claim to property
4
: to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of
also
: to make available to the public
the commission released its findings
release a new movie
: to move from one's normal position (as in football or basketball) in order to assume another position or to perform a second assignment
1
: relief or deliverance from sorrow, suffering, or trouble
2
a
: discharge from obligation or responsibility
b(1)
: relinquishment of a right or claim
(2)
: an act by which a legal right is discharged
specifically
: a conveyance of a right in lands or tenements to another having an estate in possession
3
a
: the act or an instance of liberating or freeing (as from restraint)
b
: the act or manner of concluding a musical tone or phrase
c
: the act or manner of ending a sound : the movement of one or more vocal organs in quitting the position for a speech sound
d
: the action or manner of throwing a ball
has a quick release
4
: an instrument effecting a legal release
5
: the state of being freed
6
: a device adapted to hold or release a mechanism as required
7
a
: the act of permitting performance or publication
b
: the matter released
especially
: a statement prepared for the press
re-leased; re-leasing; re-leases
: to lease again
Synonyms
Examples of release in a Sentence
Verb (1)
The hostages have been released.
The judge released the prisoner.
The lion was released from its cage.
There is a lot of controversy over whether or not wolves should be released into the park.
I released my son's hand, and he ran out onto the playground.
The factory faced serious fines for releasing dangerous chemicals into the river.
Heat is released into the atmosphere by cars.
During exercise, the body releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.
She started to cry, releasing all of her repressed emotion.
Exercise is a good way to release stress.
Noun
the release of the hostages
The prisoner is eligible for early release.
There was a controversy over the release of wolves into the park.
The prisoner was given an early release.
the release of heat into the atmosphere
Exercise triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.
an accidental release of pollutants into the river
They've filed a request for release from the contract.
They're requesting a release from their contractual obligations.
The release of the book is scheduled for next month.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The Los Angeles County registrar did not update results over the weekend — the last tally there was released at 5 p.m. on Friday — but Tran is leading there with 56.26% of the vote.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
The Seahawks’ linebacker corps has undergone a radical, in-season makeover, with last month’s trade for Ernest Brown IV and Tuesday’s release of leading tackler Tyrel Dodson, who’ll be replaced by rookie Tyrice Knight.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
The families protested as some had been waiting for their unit to be re-leased since 2019, so Lifespace later agreed that they will be paid either when their unit is taken over by a new resident or by 2025 at the latest.
—Natalie Walters, Dallas News, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for release 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Democrat Josh Harder is heading back to the U.S. House following his defeat of Republican Kevin Lincoln in California’s 9th Congressional District, according to election results released Friday.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
The Los Angeles County registrar did not update results over the weekend — the last tally there was released at 5 p.m. on Friday — but Tran is leading there with 56.26% of the vote.
—Hanna Kang, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
The release said the project would improve pedestrian safety.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
The Seahawks’ linebacker corps has undergone a radical, in-season makeover, with last month’s trade for Ernest Brown IV and Tuesday’s release of leading tackler Tyrel Dodson, who’ll be replaced by rookie Tyrice Knight.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
Advertisement The recent departure of a law firm that had been in the building more than 50 years cleared out five floors that will quickly be re-leased to data tenants, said Eades, who represents the landlord.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
The families protested as some had been waiting for their unit to be re-leased since 2019, so Lifespace later agreed that they will be paid either when their unit is taken over by a new resident or by 2025 at the latest.
—Natalie Walters, Dallas News, 14 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for release
Dictionary Entries Near release
Cite this Entry
“Release.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/release. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
release
1 of 2 verb
re·lease
ri-ˈlēs 
released; releasing
1
: to set free (as from confinement)
release a prisoner
release a bird from a cage
2
: to relieve from something that holds or burdens
released from our promise
3
: to give up in favor of another : relinquish
release a claim to property
4
: to give permission for publication, performance, exhibition, or sale of (as a movie or news story)
release
2 of 2 noun1
: relief or rescue from sorrow, suffering, or trouble
2
a
: a discharge from an obligation (as a debt)
b
: a giving up of a right or claim
3
: the act or an instance of setting free or letting go
4
: a document that contains a release
5
: the state of being freed
6
: a device adapted to hold or release a mechanism as required
7
a
: the act of permitting performance or publication
b
: the matter released
especially
: a statement prepared for the press
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