Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - release

(releases, releasing, released) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If a person or animal is released from somewhere where they have been locked up or looked after, they are set free or allowed to go. He was released from custody the next day... He was released on bail. VERB: usu passive, be V-ed from n, be V-ed 2. When someone is released, you refer to their release. He called for the immediate release of all political prisoners. N-COUNT: with supp 3. If someone or something releases you from a duty, task, or feeling, they free you from it. (FORMAL) Divorce releases both the husband and wife from all marital obligations to each other... This releases the teacher to work with individuals who are having extreme difficulty. VERB: V n from n, V n • Release is also a noun. ...release from stored tensions, traumas and grief... N-UNCOUNT: also a N, oft N from N 4. To release feelings or abilities means to allow them to be expressed. Becoming your own person releases your creativity... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. She felt the sudden sweet release of her own tears. N-UNCOUNT 5. If someone in authority releases something such as a document or information, they make it available. They’re not releasing any more details yet... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques. N-COUNT: with supp 6. If you release someone or something, you stop holding them. (FORMAL) He stopped and faced her, releasing her wrist. VERB: V n 7. If you release a device, you move it so that it stops holding something. Wade released the hand brake and pulled away from the curb. VERB 8. If something releases gas, heat, or a substance, it causes it to leave its container or the substance that it was part of and enter the surrounding atmosphere or area. ...a weapon which releases toxic nerve gas... VERB: V n • Release is also a noun. Under the agreement, releases of cancer-causing chemicals will be cut by about 80 per cent. N-COUNT: with supp 9. When an entertainer or company releases a new CD, video, or film, it becomes available so that people can buy it or see it. He is releasing an album of love songs. VERB: V n 10. A new release is a new CD, video, or film that has just become available for people to buy or see. Which of the new releases do you think are really good? N-COUNT 11. If a film or video is on release or on general release, it is available for people to see in public cinemas or for people to buy. The video has sold three million copies in its first three weeks on release. N-UNCOUNT: on N 12. see also day release, news release, press release