Dictionary

release

Etymology 1

From Middle English relesen, relessen, from Old French relaisser (variant of relascher).

Pronunciation

Noun

release

The event of setting (someone or something) free (e.g. hostages, slaves, prisoners, caged animals, hooked or stuck mechanisms).
(software) The distribution, either public or private, of an initial or new and upgraded version of a computer software product.
Anything recently released or made available (as for sale).
The video store advertised that it had all the latest releases.
That which is released, untied or let go.
They marked the occasion with a release of butterflies.
(legal) The giving up of a claim, especially a debt.
Liberation from pain or suffering.
(biochemistry) The process by which a chemical substance is set free.
(phonetics, sound synthesis) The act or manner of ending a sound.
(railways, historical) In the block system, a printed card conveying information and instructions to be used at intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.
A device adapted to hold or release a device or mechanism as required.
1. A catch on a motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in the field circuit.
2. The catch on an electromagnetic circuit breaker for a motor, triggered in the event of an overload.
3. The lever or button on a camera that opens the shutter to allow a photograph to be taken.
Orgasm.
She quivered in release.
Discharged semen
(music) A kind of bridge used in jazz music.

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Verb

release (releases, present participle releasing; simple past and past participle released)

To let go (of); to cease to hold or contain.
He released his grasp on the lever.
To make available to the public.
They released the new product later than intended.
To free or liberate; to set free.
He was released after two years in prison.
To discharge.
They released thousands of gallons of water into the river each month.
(telephone) (of a call) To hang up.
If you continue to use abusive language, I will need to release the call.
(legal) To let go, as a legal claim; to discharge or relinquish a right to, as lands or tenements, by conveying to another who has some right or estate in possession, as when the person in remainder releases his right to the tenant in possession; to quit.
To loosen; to relax; to remove the obligation of.
- 1594–1597, Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Will[iam] Stansby [for Matthew Lownes], published 1611, →OCLC ↗, (please specify the page):
  punishments inflicted and released
(soccer) To set up; to provide with a goal-scoring opportunity
(biochemistry) To set free a chemical substance.
(intransitive) to launch; to come out; to become available.
when the game releases
the new model will release on ...