RELEASE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does release mean? 

• RELEASE (noun)
  The noun RELEASE has 12 senses:

1. merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film)

2. the act of liberating someone or something

3. a process that liberates or discharges something

4. an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation

5. the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)

6. euphemistic expressions for death

7. a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation

8. a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism

9. activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

10. the act of allowing a fluid to escape

11. a formal written statement of relinquishment

12. (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone

  Familiarity information: RELEASE used as a noun is familiar.

• RELEASE (verb)
  The verb RELEASE has 10 senses:

1. release, as from one's grip

2. grant freedom to; free from confinement

3. let (something) fall or spill from a container

4. prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

5. eliminate (a substance)

6. generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids

7. make (information) available for publication

8. part with a possession or right

9. release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition

10. make (assets) available

  Familiarity information: RELEASE used as a verb is familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RELEASE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

a new release from the London Symphony Orchestra

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

merchandise; product; ware (commodities offered for sale)

Derivation:

release (prepare and issue for public distribution or sale)

release (make (information) available for publication)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of liberating someone or something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

freeing; liberation; release

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "release"):

deregulating; deregulation (the act of freeing from regulation (especially from governmental regulations))

relief (the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged)

disentanglement; extrication; unsnarling; untangling (the act of releasing from a snarled or tangled condition)

emancipation (freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's relinquishing authority and control over a minor child)

clearing (the act of freeing from suspicion)

manumission (the formal act of freeing from slavery)

parole ((law) a conditional release from imprisonment that entitles the person to serve the remainder of the sentence outside the prison as long as the terms of release are complied with)

probation ((law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court)

jail delivery (the use of force to liberate prisoners)

Derivation:

release (grant freedom to; free from confinement)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A process that liberates or discharges something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Context example:

the release of iodine from the thyroid gland

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

action; activity; natural action; natural process (a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "release"):

emission (the release of electrons from parent atoms)

Derivation:

release (generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids)

release (eliminate (a substance))

Sense 4

Meaning:

An announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

handout; press release; release

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

announcement; promulgation (a public statement containing information about an event that has happened or is going to happen)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

discharge; dismissal; dismission; firing; liberation; release; sack; sacking

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

conclusion; ending; termination (the act of ending something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "release"):

conge; congee (an abrupt and unceremonious dismissal)

Section Eight (a discharge from the US Army based on unfitness or character traits deemed undesirable)

dishonorable discharge (a discharge from the armed forces for a grave offense (as sabotage or espionage or cowardice or murder))

honorable discharge (a discharge from the armed forces with a commendable record)

deactivation; inactivation (breaking up a military unit (by transfers or discharges))

removal (dismissal from office)

superannuation (the act of discharging someone because of age (especially to cause someone to retire from service on a pension))

Sense 6

Meaning:

Euphemistic expressions for death

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

departure; exit; expiration; going; loss; passing; release

Context example:

thousands mourned his passing

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

death; decease; expiry (the event of dying or departure from life)

Domain usage:

euphemism (an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh)

Sense 7

Meaning:

A legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

acquittance; release

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

instrument; legal document; legal instrument; official document ((law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Derivation:

release (part with a possession or right)

Sense 8

Meaning:

A device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

button; release

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

outlet; release; vent

Context example:

he gave vent to his anger

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Sense 10

Meaning:

The act of allowing a fluid to escape

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

release; spill; spillage

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

flow; stream (the act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression)

Derivation:

release (let (something) fall or spill from a container)

Sense 11

Meaning:

A formal written statement of relinquishment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

discharge; release; waiver

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

relinquishing; relinquishment (the act of giving up and abandoning a struggle or task etc.)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "release"):

exemption; granting immunity; immunity (an act exempting someone)

Derivation:

release (part with a possession or right)

Sense 12

Meaning:

(music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

release; tone ending

Hypernyms ("release" is a kind of...):

conclusion; ending; termination (the act of ending something)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "release"):

explosion; plosion (the terminal forced release of pressure built up during the occlusive phase of a stop consonant)

• RELEASE (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Release, as from one's grip

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

let go; let go of; release; relinquish

Context example:

relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

bring out; let out (bring out of a specific state)

disengage; withdraw (release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles)

unleash (release from a leash)

let loose; loose; unleash (turn loose or free from restraint)

unleash (release or vent)

unhand (remove the hand from)

toggle (release by a toggle switch)

pop (release suddenly)

unclasp (release from a clasp)

discharge; muster out (release from military service)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Grant freedom to; free from confinement

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

free; liberate; loose; release; unloose; unloosen

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

unspell (release from a spell)

unchain (make free)

bail (release after a security has been paid)

run (set animals loose to graze)

bail out (free on bail)

parole (release a criminal from detention and place him on parole)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to release the prisoners

Derivation:

release (the act of liberating someone or something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Let (something) fall or spill from a container

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

release; turn

Context example:

turn the flour onto a plate

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

channel; channelise; channelize; transfer; transmit; transport (send from one person or place to another)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

deflate (release contained air or gas from)

throw (throw (a die) out onto a flat surface)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

release (the act of allowing a fluid to escape)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bring out; issue; publish; put out; release

Context example:

publish a magazine or newspaper

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

air; bare; publicise; publicize (make public)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

edit (supervise the publication of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue release the movie

Derivation:

release (merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film))

Sense 5

Meaning:

Eliminate (a substance)

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

discharge; eject; exhaust; expel; release

Context example:

the plant releases a gas

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

bleed; hemorrhage; shed blood (lose blood from one's body)

breathe; emit; pass off (expel (gases or odors))

fester; maturate; suppurate (ripen and generate pus)

eruct; spew; spew out (eject or send out in large quantities, also metaphorical)

egest; eliminate; excrete; pass (eliminate from the body)

abort (terminate a pregnancy by undergoing an abortion)

ejaculate (eject semen)

blow (free of obstruction by blowing air through)

cough out; cough up; expectorate; spit out; spit up (discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth)

ovulate (produce and discharge eggs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

release (a process that liberates or discharges something)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

release; secrete

Context example:

release a hormone into the blood stream

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

exudate; exude; ooze; ooze out; transude (release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

water (secrete or form water, as tears or saliva)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

release (a process that liberates or discharges something)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Make (information) available for publication

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

free; release

Context example:

release the list with the names of the prisoners

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

issue; supply (circulate or distribute or equip with)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

declassify (lift the restriction on and make available again)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

release (merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film))

Sense 8

Meaning:

Part with a possession or right

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

free; give up; release; relinquish; resign

Context example:

resign a claim to the throne

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

give; hand; pass; pass on; reach; turn over (place into the hands or custody of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "release"):

derequisition (release from government control)

give; sacrifice (endure the loss of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something to somebody

Derivation:

release (a formal written statement of relinquishment)

release (a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation)

Sense 9

Meaning:

Release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

free; liberate; release

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

bring forth; generate (bring into existence)

Domain category:

chemical science; chemistry (the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 10

Meaning:

Make (assets) available

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

free; release; unblock; unfreeze

Context example:

release the holdings in the dictator's bank account

Hypernyms (to "release" is one way to...):

issue; supply (circulate or distribute or equip with)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

As my fingers released hers, she clutched for my arm hastily.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Then, suddenly releasing it, it sprang straight again.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

You do this, whose sanity we have reason to doubt, since you are not yet released from medical treatment for this very defect.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

On this hint, Mr. Quinion released me, and I made the best of my way home.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

‘There is water in your eyes,’ said he as he released me.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But it seems probable enough, since the moment that Mr. Soames’s back was turned, you released the man who was hiding in that bedroom.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

USDA Red, the world's first true red spinach variety has been developed and released by the Agricultural Research Service.

(World's First True Red Spinach Variety Released, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

The research demonstrates that graphene inks can be used in textiles able to store electrical charge and release it when required.

(Washable, wearable battery-like devices could be woven directly into clothes, University of Cambridge)

Wave-1 activation by Rac1 and Nck releases Wave-1 with Hspc300 to activate actin Y branching and polymerization by Arp2/3.

(Actin Branching Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Acylamino-acid-releasing enzyme (732 aa, ~81 kDa) is encoded by the human APEH gene.

(Acylamino-Acid-Releasing Enzyme, NCI Thesaurus)