release
release — verb
1. to allow a person or animal to go free from somewhere they had been held — such
to allow a person or animal to go free from somewhere they had been held — such as a prison, cage, or locked room.
The lawyer worked for months to help release Indra from the unfair sentence.
release + person + from + situation
Nkechi's family celebrated when the judge decided to release her brother.
passive: be released by authority
The zookeepers will release the rescued birds back into the wild forest next week.
release + animal + back into + habitat
After serving three years in prison, Reuben was finally released on parole.
The United Nations demanded that the government release all political prisoners immediately.
- release a prisoner
- release on bail
- release from custody
- release from hospital
Grammar Patterns
release + person/animal
release + from + place
Usage Note
Commonly used in passive constructions: someone is released from prison, captivity, or custody. The agent (the person or institution doing the releasing) is often omitted in news reporting.
Common Mistakes
2. to move a button, catch, or mechanical part so that it is no longer holding some
to move a button, catch, or mechanical part so that it is no longer holding something in place and the object can move or open.
Jin released the handbrake and the car slowly rolled down the driveway.
release + mechanical part (handbrake)
Mei released the catch on the wooden window frame and pushed it open.
Christopher released his tight grip on the rope and let the bucket fall back down.
release + grip on + object
Press the red button to release the lock on the emergency exit door.
Rohan released the safety catch on the camera and started taking pictures of the sunset.
- release the brake
- release the catch
- release your grip
- release the button
Grammar Patterns
release + noun (device/part)
Usage Note
Often used for vehicle controls (handbrake, clutch), fasteners (catch, latch, clip), or camera buttons. The object must be a device or part that holds something in place.
3. to drop or fire a bomb, missile, or other weapon from an aircraft or weapon syst
to drop or fire a bomb, missile, or other weapon from an aircraft or weapon system so that it falls toward a target.
The pilot received orders to release the bombs over the military base at dawn.
release + bomb + over + target
The drone can release its payload with precision from a height of five kilometres.
The aircraft released a missile that struck the building within seconds.
Training exercises teach pilots exactly when to release a weapon during a mission.
- release a bomb
- release a missile
- release a payload
- release a weapon
Grammar Patterns
release + bomb/missile/payload
Usage Note
Domain-specific to military and aviation contexts. Not to be confused with 'launch', which applies to rockets or space vehicles.
4. to let a gas, liquid, or chemical escape or come out of a container, pipe, or ot
to let a gas, liquid, or chemical escape or come out of a container, pipe, or other source into the air or surrounding area.
The factory was fined for releasing toxic chemicals into the nearby river.
release + chemical + into + environment
When you open the bottle, it releases a gas with a very strong smell.
The old power plant releases thick smoke into the air day and night.
Kian's wound released a small amount of clear liquid before it healed completely.
release + liquid + from + body
Burning wood releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere.
- release gas
- release chemicals
- release smoke
- release carbon dioxide
- release energy
Grammar Patterns
release + substance + into + place
Usage Note
Common in environmental and scientific contexts. The substance released is usually something unwanted or harmful (pollution, gas, chemicals), but can be neutral (steam, liquid).
Common Mistakes
5. to allow a strong emotion or feeling to come out after keeping it hidden, so tha
to allow a strong emotion or feeling to come out after keeping it hidden, so that you no longer feel as tense or heavy.
After the stressful meeting, Lara finally released all the anger she had held inside for weeks.
release + pent-up emotion (anger)
Crying can help you release stress and feel much calmer afterwards.
Rohan found it hard to release his feelings about the breakup, even with close friends.
release + feelings + about + event
Writing in a journal every night helps Sivan release the worries from the day.
The children released their excitement by running around the garden and shouting.
- release anger
- release stress
- release tension
- release frustration
- release emotions
Grammar Patterns
release + emotion/feeling
Usage Note
The object is usually an emotion with negative connotations (anger, stress, tension, frustration) or a general sense of pressure. Not used for positive emotions like joy in formal writing, though common in casual speech.
Common Mistakes
6. to make information, a document, or an official statement available for the publ
to make information, a document, or an official statement available for the public to see, hear, or read.
The company will release its quarterly earnings report next Thursday morning.
release + report + to public
The police have not yet released the name of the victim to the media.
The government released a statement denying all allegations of corruption.
University researchers released the findings of their study on climate change yesterday.
The hospital will not release patient records without written permission from the individual.
- release a report
- release a statement
- release information
- release data
- release details
- publish
specifically for written or printed material
- disclose
formal, for previously secret information
- make public
phrase, same meaning but more informal
Grammar Patterns
release + information/report/statement + to + public
Usage Note
Frequently used in news and business contexts. Often in passive: 'be released to the public' or 'be released to the press.' Not used for personal information you share casually with friends.
7. when a company or musician puts out a film, album, song, or video game so that p
when a company or musician puts out a film, album, song, or video game so that people everywhere can watch, listen to it, or purchase it.
The Korean band plans to release their new album in March next year.
release + album + on + date
Universal Studios released the film in cinemas across Asia last week.
The singer released a music video that quickly went viral on social media.
The video game company will release the latest version of its racing game in December.
Élise's record label released a special edition of her first album for the anniversary.
- release a film
- release an album
- release a song
- release a video game
- release a DVD
Grammar Patterns
release + film/album/recording + on + format
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 6: this sense is specifically about creative or entertainment products (films, music, games), not about documents or information.
8. to put a new product, book, or software version onto the market for customers to
to put a new product, book, or software version onto the market for customers to purchase, typically along with advertising and special events.
Apple released a new version of its smartphone in September with several camera upgrades.
release + new version + of + product
The publisher will release the cookbook in hardcover and digital formats next spring.
Sivan's software company released an update that fixed several security problems.
The car manufacturer released a new electric model with a longer driving range.
Toy companies usually release their biggest products just before the holiday shopping season.
- release a product
- release a new version
- release software
- release a book
- release an update
- discontinue
to stop making a product
- recall
to ask customers to return a faulty product
Grammar Patterns
release + product + onto + market
Usage Note
Overlaps with sense 7 but this sense applies to any commercial product (cars, phones, books, software, appliances), not just entertainment media.
release — noun
1. the situation when someone gets out of prison, hospital, or another place where
the situation when someone gets out of prison, hospital, or another place where they have been kept against their own wishes.
The prisoner's family waited outside the prison gates all morning for his release.
wait for + someone's release
After her release from prison, Nala started working at a small bakery in town.
release from + prison + new beginning
The judge ordered the immediate release of the journalist who had been detained without trial.
Human rights groups demanded the release of all political prisoners in the region.
The patient's release from the hospital was delayed because of a minor infection.
- early release
- release from prison
- release on bail
- order someone's release
- secure someone's release
- freedom
broader, not limited to leaving custody
- liberation
more dramatic, for groups or countries
- imprisonment
the state of being kept in prison
- detention
the act of keeping someone in custody
Grammar Patterns
someone's release + from + place
Usage Note
Often used with 'from' (release from prison/hospital/custody) or with a possessive ('his release', 'the prisoner's release'). Can be followed by 'of' (the release of the hostages).
2. the process of a gas, liquid, or chemical flowing or escaping from a container,
the process of a gas, liquid, or chemical flowing or escaping from a container, pipe, or source.
The release of chemicals from the old factory caused serious damage to local farms.
release of + substance + from + place
A small release of natural gas was detected by the safety system in the basement.
Workers quickly stopped the release of sewage into the lake before it spread further.
The slow release of water from the dam keeps the river flowing throughout the dry season.
- release of chemicals
- release of gas
- toxic release
- accidental release
- slow release
- containment
the act of keeping something inside
Grammar Patterns
release + of + substance
Usage Note
Usually followed by 'of' (the release of gas/chemicals/smoke). In environmental reporting, often paired with adjectives like 'toxic', 'harmful', or 'accidental'.
3. a feeling of freedom from worry, stress, or emotional pressure, often after expr
a feeling of freedom from worry, stress, or emotional pressure, often after expressing something that has been bothering you.
Finishing the final exam gave Andrei a tremendous sense of release and relief.
a sense of release
Talking to a close friend provided the emotional release that Lara desperately needed.
emotional release
Exercise can be a healthy release for anxiety and built-up tension.
a release for + emotion
Crying was a release that helped Nkechi feel lighter after the difficult week.
Many people find that gardening offers a good release from the pressures of daily work.
- emotional release
- sense of release
- release from stress
- healthy release
- good release
Grammar Patterns
a release + from + feeling
Usage Note
Often used in phrases like 'a sense of release', 'an emotional release', or 'a release from tension'. The 'release' itself is usually the act or experience of letting go, not the emotion itself.
4. the process of presenting information, a document, or a product so that the publ
the process of presenting information, a document, or a product so that the public can see, read, or use it for the very first time.
The release of the classified documents caused a major political scandal.
release of + document + effect
Officials delayed the release of the report until after the election results came out.
The release of the survey results led to a heated public debate about education policy.
The company announced the release of a new software tool for small businesses.
announce the release of + product
Journalists gathered at the press conference for the release of the annual economic data.
- release of information
- release of a report
- release of data
- official release
- public release
- publication
focuses on printed or written material
- announcement
the act of telling people about something, not necessarily making it available
- issue
formal, for official documents or statements
- withholding
keeping information back
- suppression
preventing information from being known
Grammar Patterns
release + of + information/product
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' (the release of the report/data/product). The definite article 'the' is almost always used before 'release' in this sense.
5. an official written statement giving information to journalists, newspapers, or
an official written statement giving information to journalists, newspapers, or broadcasters, often called a press release.
The hospital issued a press release about the new cancer treatment facility.
issue a press release
According to the press release, the company plans to open ten new stores across Taiwan.
The journalist received a press release from the mayor's office early this morning.
The university put out a news release announcing the new scholarship programme for international students.
- press release
- issue a release
- news release
- put out a release
- send out a release
- press release
the full, standard term
- news release
alternative term, same meaning
- statement
broader, can be spoken or written
Grammar Patterns
issue a release / put out a release
Usage Note
Almost always used as 'press release' or 'news release'. In this meaning, 'release' is a countable document; you can say 'three releases today.' Do not confuse with sense 4 (the act of making available).
Common Mistakes
6. a new piece of creative work such as a song collection, movie, or video game tha
a new piece of creative work such as a song collection, movie, or video game that people can now watch, hear, or purchase in stores or online.
Élise's latest release topped the music charts in several Asian countries.
latest release by + artist
The band's new release sold out within the first week at every store in the city.
Fans eagerly anticipated the release of the live concert DVD after the world tour ended.
This streaming platform offers all the major film releases from the past twelve months.
Indra bought the special collector's release of his favourite video game on launch day.
- new release
- latest release
- upcoming release
- major release
- special release
Grammar Patterns
latest/new release + by + artist
Usage Note
Often modified by 'new', 'latest', or 'recent' (the new release, the latest release). In entertainment journalism, 'release' alone usually means a music or film release.
7. the availability of a film for showing in cinemas; the period during which a fil
the availability of a film for showing in cinemas; the period during which a film can be watched at movie theatres.
The new superhero film will be on general release from the first of November.
on general release
The independent film had a limited release in only three cities across the country.
limited release
The director's latest film received a wide release across Europe and North America.
wide release
Movies that are on release in cinemas are often not yet available on streaming services.
- on release
- general release
- limited release
- wide release
- cinema release
Grammar Patterns
on (general) release
Usage Note
Typically used in fixed phrases: 'on release', 'on general release', 'limited release', 'wide release'. In this meaning, 'release' is uncountable — you cannot say 'a release' to mean a cinema showing.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- releasedadjectiveB2
- releasableadjectiveC1
- unreleasedadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Free' is the broadest term: it can mean removing any kind of restriction, from opening a cage to abolishing laws ('free the hostages', 'free trade'). 'Liberate' is more dramatic and often used for groups or territories ('liberate a town from enemy control') — it carries political or military weight. 'Set free' is slightly more literary and tends to emphasise the moment of release ('the bird was set free'). 'Let go' is informal and physical: you let go of someone's hand or let go of a pet from its leash. In everyday conversation, native speakers use 'free' or 'let go' most often. For example: 'The family freed the bird from the net' feels neutral and natural, while 'The soldiers liberated the village' suggests a larger, organised effort.
Common collocations
Etymology
'Release' entered English in the 13th century from Old French 'relaissier' meaning 'to let go, to relinquish'. The French word came from Latin 'relaxare', which combines 're-' (back, again) and 'laxare' (to loosen, to slacken). The original sense of 'loosening' is still visible in the verb's core meaning of 'letting something go free'. The modern meaning of 'making a recording available' emerged in the early 20th century with the film and music industries.