release (releases plural & 3rd person present) (releasing present participle) (released past tense & past participle )
1 verb If a person or animal is released from somewhere where they have been locked up or looked after, they are set free or allowed to go.
usu passive
He was released from custody the next day... be V-ed from n
He was released on bail. be V-ed
2 n-count When someone is released, you refer to their release.
with supp
He called for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
3 verb If someone or something releases you from a duty, task, or feeling, they free you from it.
FORMAL Divorce releases both the husband and wife from all marital obligations to each other... V n from n
This releases the teacher to work with individuals who are having extreme difficulty. V n
Release is also a noun., n-uncount also a N, oft N from N
...release from stored tensions, traumas and grief...
4 verb To release feelings or abilities means to allow them to be expressed.
Becoming your own person releases your creativity... V n
Release is also a noun., n-uncount
She felt the sudden sweet release of her own tears.
5 verb If someone in authority releases something such as a document or information, they make it available.
They're not releasing any more details yet... V n
Release is also a noun., n-count with supp
Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques.
6 verb If you release someone or something, you stop holding them.
FORMAL He stopped and faced her, releasing her wrist. V n
7 verb If you release a device, you move it so that it stops holding something.
Wade released the hand brake and pulled away from the curb.
8 verb If something releases gas, heat, or a substance, it causes it to leave its container or the substance that it was part of and enter the surrounding atmosphere or area.
...a weapon which releases toxic nerve gas... V n
Release is also a noun., n-count with supp
Under the agreement, releases of cancer-causing chemicals will be cut by about 80 per cent.
9 verb When an entertainer or company releases a new CD, video, or film, it becomes available so that people can buy it or see it.
He is releasing an album of love songs. V n
10 n-count A new release is a new CD, video, or film that has just become available for people to buy or see.
Which of the new releases do you think are really good?
11 n-uncount If a film or video is on release or on general release, it is available for people to see in public cinemas or for people to buy.
on N
The video has sold three million copies in its first three weeks on release.
12 →
day release →
news release →
press release
day release , day-release
Day release is a system in which workers spend one day each week at a college in order to study a subject connected with their work.
(BRIT) n-uncount
news release (news releases plural )A news release is a written statement about a matter of public interest which is given to the press by an organization concerned with the matter.
(mainly AM) n-count
In a news release, the company said it had experienced severe financial problems.
in BRIT, use press release
press release (press releases plural )A press release is a written statement about a matter of public interest which is given to the press by an organization concerned with the matter. n-count
