English Reference
verb · noun

releasing

v. · n.
US /ɹiˈɫisɪŋ/ UK /ɹɪlˈiːsɪŋ/ re·leas·ing

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    v.letting something go from your hand or allowing a person or animal to go free.

    v.the act of setting someone or something free from physical or legal restraint.

    Simple

    The scientist was releasing the bird back into the wild after checking its health.

    In context

    Releasing the prisoners was a key condition of the peace treaty, intended to signal a genuine commitment to ending the conflict.

    Usage

    often used with a direct object representing the person or thing being freed.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.making a new film, song, book, or piece of news available for the public to see or buy.

    v.the process of making information or a commercial product available for public consumption or sale.

    Simple

    The studio is releasing the new superhero movie in cinemas this Friday.

    In context

    By releasing the quarterly earnings report ahead of schedule, the company managed to stabilise its stock price before the weekend.

    Usage

    frequently used in business and media contexts.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the action of letting something go or making it available.

    n.the action or process of liberating something or making a formal announcement.

    Simple

    The releasing of the balloons into the sky was the highlight of the festival.

    In context

    The sudden releasing of the pressure valve prevented what could have been a catastrophic failure of the entire cooling system.

    Usage

    functions as a gerund or verbal noun.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse the noun 'release' with the gerund 'releasing'; use 'releasing' when focusing on the ongoing action.

Usage releasing prisoners

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated