release
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to let a person or animal go free from a place where they were kept.
v.to liberate someone from confinement or physical restraint. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“The wildlife center treated the injured owl and then released it back into the forest.”
In context“After months of diplomatic negotiations, the government finally released the political prisoners as a gesture of goodwill.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to make a film, song, book, or news story available for people to see or buy.
v.to issue or make a product or information available for public consumption or sale.
Simple“The band plans to release their new album just before the summer tour starts.”
In context“The studio decided to release the documentary simultaneously in theaters and on streaming platforms to maximize its initial impact.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to stop holding something with your hand.
v.to cease to hold or contain physically; to allow a mechanism to move from a fixed position.
Simple“You have to release the button before the machine will start the next cycle.”
In context“As the climber reached the ledge, he carefully released his grip on the rope to adjust his safety harness.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
n.the act of letting someone out of prison or a restricted place.
n.the action or process of being set free from confinement or legal obligation.
Simple“The prisoner's release was delayed by several days due to a paperwork error.”
In context“The legal team argued that the defendant's immediate release was necessary given the lack of substantial evidence presented by the prosecution.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a new film, record, or piece of software that has just become available.
n.a specific version of a product, especially software or media, made available for distribution.
Simple“The latest release of the app fixed several bugs that were causing it to crash.”
In context“Critics praised the director's latest release for its innovative use of practical effects and non-linear storytelling.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of letting a gas, chemical, or energy come out into the air.
n.the discharge or emission of a substance or energy into the environment.
Simple“The accidental release of chemicals into the river caused a lot of damage to the fish.”
In context“The sudden release of pressure within the valve caused a loud hiss that echoed through the laboratory.”
Antonyms - 07 C1 Advanced
n.a feeling of freedom from pain, worry, or unhappiness.
n.the state of being liberated from physical or emotional distress.
Simple“For many people, exercise provides a healthy release from the stress of work.”
In context“The patient found a sense of release in the quiet garden, away from the sterile environment of the hospital ward.”
Synonyms
Usage release scheme · released a new · released a statement
From Middle English relesen, relessen, from Old French relaisser (variant of relascher).
From re- + lease.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.