release */*/*/

I UK [rɪˈliːs] / US [rɪˈlɪs] verb [transitive]
Word forms "release":
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.

a) 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.

b) 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.

c) to save someone from a place that they are unable to leave

The men were released by firemen after becoming trapped in a lift.

2)

a) to stop holding something

She slowly released her grip on Louisa's hand.

b) 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.

3) science to 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.

4) to move a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in

Don't forget to release the handbrake.

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.

6)

a) 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.

b) to make a film, video, or CD available for people to see or buy

They have just released their second album.

7) formal to 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.

II UK [rɪˈliːs] / US [rɪˈlɪs] noun
Word forms "release":
singular release plural releases

1)

a) [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.

b) the act of letting an animal leave the place where you have been keeping it

2) [uncountable] a 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.

3)

a) [uncountable] the act of making something available

release of:

the release of secret government information

b) [countable] a new film, video, or CD that is available for people to see or buy

The band's latest release is called "White Clouds".

4)

a) [countable/uncountable] the act of moving a piece of equipment from the position that it is held in

b) [countable] a part on a piece of equipment that you push or pull to release it

5) [singular/uncountable] a feeling of freedom that you have after a difficult or emotional experience

6) [countable/uncountable] an opportunity or permission not to do something

The weekend was a much-needed release from work.

•

on (general) release — available to be seen in cinemas

Robert Altman's new film goes on release this weekend.