release

re|lease1 [ rı`lis ] verb transitive ***

▸ 1 let someone leave

▸ 2 stop holding something

▸ 3 let something into area around

▸ 4 make something available

▸ 5 move held equipment

▸ 6 get rid of feeling

▸ 7 let someone not do something

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 p.m. today.

release someone from something: He was released from prison in July.

release someone on bail (=let someone go free until their trial after an amount of money is paid): Two men were arrested and then released on bail.

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 they are unable to leave:

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

2. ) to stop holding something: LET GO:

She slowly released her grip on Louisa's hand.

a ) 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. ) 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 make information or documents available:

Managers have released few details from yesterday's meeting.

These are the first police accident statistics to be released.

a ) to make a movie, video, or CD available for people to see or buy:

They have just released their second album.

5. ) to move a piece of equipment from the position it is held in:

Don't forget to release the handbrake.

6. ) 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.

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.

release

re|lease 2 [ rı`lis ] noun ***

▸ 1 letting someone leave

▸ 2 letting something into area

▸ 3 making something available

▸ 4 of equipment

▸ 5 feeling of freedom

▸ 6 chance not to do something

1. ) uncount the act of letting someone leave a place such as a prison or hospital:

release of: the events that led to the release of the Western hostages

release from: He was taken home on his release from the hospital.

secure someone's release: The foreign office has finally secured her release from prison.

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

2. ) uncount a situation in which something such as a chemical is spread into the area or atmosphere around it:

The release of these toxic substances into the environment is potentially devastating.

3. ) uncount the act of making something available:

the release of secret government information

a ) count a new movie, video, or CD that is available for people to see or buy:

The band's latest release is called White Clouds.

b ) on (general) release available to be seen in movie theaters:

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

4. ) count or uncount the act of moving a piece of equipment from the position it is held in

a ) count a part on a piece of equipment that you push or pull to release it

5. ) singular or uncount a feeling of freedom that you have after a difficult or emotional experience

6. ) count or uncount an opportunity or permission to not do something:

The weekend was a much-needed release from work.