noun
1. the act of liberating someone or something
Synonym: liberationfreeing
2. (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or tone
Synonym: tone ending
3. a formal written statement of relinquishment
Synonym: waiverdischarge
4. the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
Synonym: dismissaldismissiondischargefiringliberationsacksacking
5. the act of allowing a fluid to escape
Synonym: spillspillage
6. activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion
e.g. she had no other outlet for her feelings
he gave vent to his anger
Synonym: outletvent
7. merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film)
e.g. a new release from the London Symphony Orchestra
8. a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism
Synonym: button
9. a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or obligation
Synonym: acquittance
10. an announcement distributed to members of the press in order to supplement or replace an oral presentation
Synonym: handoutpress release
11. euphemistic expressions for death
e.g. thousands mourned his passing
Synonym: passinglossdepartureexitexpirationgoing
12. a process that liberates or discharges something
e.g. there was a sudden release of oxygen
the release of iodine from the thyroid gland
verb
1. generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
e.g. secrete digestive juices
release a hormone into the blood stream
Synonym: secrete
2. eliminate (a substance)
e.g. combustion products are exhausted in the engine
the plant releases a gas
Synonym: exhaustdischargeexpeleject
3. make (assets) available
e.g. release the holdings in the dictator's bank account
Synonym: unblockunfreezefree
4. prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
e.g. publish a magazine or newspaper
Synonym: publishbring output outissue
5. let (something) fall or spill from a container
e.g. turn the flour onto a plate
Synonym: turn
6. release, as from one's grip
e.g. Let go of the door handle, please!
relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't fall
Synonym: let go oflet gorelinquish
7. release (gas or energy) as a result of a chemical reaction or physical decomposition
Synonym: freeliberate
8. part with a possession or right
e.g. I am relinquishing my bedroom to the long-term house guest
resign a claim to the throne
Synonym: relinquishresignfreegive up
9. grant freedom to
free from confinement
Synonym: freeliberateunlooseunloosenloose
10. make (information) available for publication
e.g. release the list with the names of the prisoners
Synonym: free