Definition of “release” - English Dictionary

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“release” in English

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releaseverb [ T ]

uk ​ /rɪˈliːs/ us ​ /rɪˈliːs/

release verb [ T ] (MAKE FREE)

B2 to give freedom or free movement to someone or something:

He was released from prison after serving two years of a five-year sentence.
She was arrested for shoplifting but was released on bail (= after paying a sum of money to the court).
figurative The surgery released him from years of pain.

› to move a device from a fixed position to allow it to move freely:

He released the handbrake and the car jumped forwards.

› to fire a bomb or a missile (= flying weapon), or to allow it to fall:

The plane released its bombs at 10,000 feet.

C1 to allow a substance to flow out from somewhere:

Coal power stations release sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.
Hormones are released from glands into the bloodstream.

› to express a feeling that you have been trying not to show:

He punched the pillow in an effort to release his anger.

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release verb [ T ] (MAKE PUBLIC)

C1 to allow something to be shown in public or to be available for use:

Police have released a picture of the man they want to question.
The mayor has released a statement explaining the reasons for his resignation.

B2 If a company releases a film or musical recording, it allows the film to be shown in cinemas, or makes the musical recording available for the public to buy:

The band's latest album will be released next week.

› Indian English to make a product, for example a book, available for the public to buy, often with a celebration; launch:

The new edition of the dictionary will be released by the education minister later this month.

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releasenoun

uk ​ /rɪˈliːs/ us ​ /rɪˈliːs/

release noun (MAKING FREE)

C1 [ S or U ] an occasion when someone is allowed to leave prison, etc.:

Her early release from prison led to a demonstration.

C1 [ U ] the act of flowing out from somewhere:

The accident caused the release of radioactivity into the atmosphere.

› [ S or U ] a feeling that you are free from something unpleasant:

I noticed a release of tension when he left the room.
After years of suffering, his death came as a merciful release.

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release noun (MAKING PUBLIC)

› [ U ] the act of making something public or available for use:

There are strict rules on the release of official information.

› [ C ] a written statement that gives information to be broadcast or published:

The company issued a press release announcing the appointment of a new CEO.

B2 [ C ] a musical recording that is made available for the public to buy:

Her latest release, a song about doomed love, she wrote herself.
be on general release UK

› If a film is on general release, it is available to be shown in cinemas:

The latest Disney film goes on general release next month.

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(Definition of “release” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“release” in American English

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releaseverb [ T ]

us ​ /rɪˈlis/

release verb [ T ] (MAKE FREE)

› to give freedom to someone:

Agents questioned the men, then released them because they had done nothing wrong.

› If you release a device, you move it from a locked position and allow it to move freely:

She released the brake and the car rolled forward.

release verb [ T ] (STOP HOLDING)

› to drop, or to stop carrying, holding, or containing something:

The dog brought the ball back to us but wouldn’t release it.
The company was charged with releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere.

release verb [ T ] (MAKE PUBLIC)

› to let something be shown in public or made available for use:

The police released a drawing of the suspect.

releasenoun [ C usually sing ]

us ​ /rɪˈlis/

release noun [ C usually sing ] (MAKING FREE)

› the act of giving freedom to someone:

Diplomatic efforts were underway to secure the release of the two journalists.

release noun [ C usually sing ] (MAKING PUBLIC)

› the act of letting something be shown in public or be made available for use:

The release of the movie was delayed for several months.

(Definition of “release” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“release” in Business English

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releaseverb [ T ]

uk ​ /rɪˈliːs/ us ​

› COMMUNICATIONS to make information available to the public:

According to a study released last week, nearly 250,000 Britons emigrated last year.
release a statement/document/report The conservation group released a report accusing petroleum companies of causing widespread pollution.
release details/figures/findings Figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that fixed-rate products accounted for 78% of mortgages in August.
Copies of the correspondence between the attorneys have now been released to the media.

› COMMERCE to start to sell a new product:

Only a very small percentage of the software games released each year actually make money.
release a CD/DVD/movie The record company has just released a CD that brings together the artist's solo and collaborative work.

› FINANCE to make money available to be spent:

A spokesman for the transport group said new debt arrangements would release €500 million.
Selling their home to release the equity is some people's only way of funding their living expenses in old age.

› PRODUCTION to produce gases or chemical substances as part of a manufacturing or industrial process:

Many industrial processes are still releasing great quantities of carbon dioxide.

› to officially say that someone no longer has a job, position, or responsibility:

release sb from sth The club has agreed to release three of its players from contract.

releasenoun

uk ​ /rɪˈliːs/ us ​

› [ S or U ] COMMERCE the act of making a new product available to buy or a new film available to see:

The album sold more than 200,000 copies in the week following its June 12 release.
The movie's release date has been pushed back six weeks.
Sales peak when retailers time their promotion campaigns with the release of a box-office hit like Star Wars.
Throughout the country, people have been queuing outside stores as they anticipate the commercial release of the new phone.
after/on/since release Customers purchasing new computers have been offered a free upgrade to the latest operating system on its release.
be/go on release A Blu-Ray version of the movie is now on general release.

› [ C ] COMMERCE a new product that is made available to buy, especially a CD, DVD, or a piece of software:

new/recent/latest release Three of the major Hollywood film studios agreed to sell their older movies - but not new releases - through iTunes™.

› [ S or U ] COMMUNICATIONS the act of making information available to the public:

The report's release resulted in share prices dropping dramatically.
A temporary order was granted by the judge preventing the release of about 900 pages of e-mails.
the release of information/reports/figures The rand lost ground again after the release of worse-than-expected gold and foreign exchange figures.

› [ C ] COMMUNICATIONS an official statement or document that is made available to the public:

The city's GDP, down 5% to $48.86 billion, reflected the blow struck by the earthquake, the bureau said in a release.
a news/press release
issue/put out a release We will not be issuing a release on any tax increases until work on the state budget for the next fiscal year is complete.

› [ C or U ] PRODUCTION a process in which gases or chemical substances are produced as part of manufacturing or industrial processes:

The company said its level of air emissions would stay about the same under the new permit, although it did acknowledge that the permit would allow larger releases.
Any breach of safety regulations and resulting damage within a reactor could lead to a release of radiation.

› [ S or U ] FINANCE the act of making money available to be spent:

release of sth Stock market indexes have recorded a steady growth in anticipation of early release of funds by the international donor agencies.

› [ S or U ] the act of making something available to be used:

release of sth Crude oil prices edged up to $29.66 amid disappointment that Europe has postponed any release of oil from its strategic reserves.

See also

block release
day release
press release

(Definition of “release” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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