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Definition of release noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

release

noun
 
/rɪˈliːs/
 
/rɪˈliːs/
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    setting somebody/something free

  1. [uncountable, singular] the act of setting a person or an animal free; the state of being set free
    • release of somebody/something The government has been working to secure the release of the hostages.
    • The judges ordered the release of prisoners who were political opponents of the government.
    • The public demanded her release.
    • release from something Following his release from prison, he moved to London.
    • release of somebody from something The release of female prisoners from government jails was part of the deal.
    • He was granted early release (= from prison).
    • She can expect an early release from prison.
    • on/upon somebody's release from something Upon his release from jail he found work in a restaurant kitchen.
    • on/upon somebody's release Upon her release, she fled Germany, living first in Geneva, then Paris.
    see also day release, work release
    Extra Examples
    • He negotiated the release of American prisoners of war.
    • On completing his prison sentence Smith will serve three years of supervised release.
    • There have been calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
    • his release from hospital
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • immediate
    • imminent
    • early
    verb + release
    • demand
    • grant somebody
    • secure
    release + noun
    • date
    preposition
    • release from
    phrases
    • release somebody on bail
    • release somebody on parole
    See full entry
  2. making something available

  3. [uncountable, singular] the act of making a film, recording or other product available to the public
    • The new software is planned for release in April.
    • It is very difficult for a Brazilian film to get an American release.
    • The film never received a theatrical release (= was not shown in cinemas).
    • The movie goes on general release (= will be widely shown in cinemas) next week.
    • I hadn't seen the movie since its original release.
    • the release of a film/report
    • upon (something's) release Upon its release, the film received considerable acclaim.
    • It's still seven weeks till the film's official release.
    • A release date has not been announced yet.
    Extra Examples
    • With its release on DVD, fans now have a chance to re-evaluate their initial impressions.
    • The film will go on general release in November.
    • The controversy threatens to delay the movie's release.
    • The film never got a theatrical release but went straight to DVD.
    • The judge authorized the release of the information.
    • The senator demanded the immediate release of the full report.
    • Under the current release schedule, the series will be available on DVD early next year.
    • a publicity tour for the upcoming release of her autobiography
    • I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next volume.
    • He has announced the release of his new album.
    Topics Musicb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • latest
    • new
    • recent
    verb + release
    • authorize
    • demand
    • announce
    release + verb
    • be out
    • come out
    release + noun
    • date
    • schedule
    preposition
    • release on
    phrases
    • in general release
    • on general release
    See full entry
  4. [countable] a thing that is made available to the public, especially a new film or music recording
    • recent/new releases
    • the latest releases
    • There are several interesting album releases due out on Friday.
    • This is a debut release that'll simply take your breath away.
    Topics Film and theatreb2, Musicb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • latest
    • new
    • recent
    verb + release
    • authorize
    • demand
    • announce
    release + verb
    • be out
    • come out
    release + noun
    • date
    • schedule
    preposition
    • release on
    phrases
    • in general release
    • on general release
    See full entry
  5. [uncountable, singular] the act of making information available to the public
    • the release of the report
    • The company issued a news release after the board meeting.
  6. of gas/chemical

  7. [uncountable, countable] the act of letting a gas, chemical, etc. move or flow freely
    • Release of these hormones gives the body a temporary increase in strength and energy.
    • disasters resulting from accidental releases of toxic substances
    • The aim is to control the risks of exposure to chemicals by preventing release at source.
    • release of something into something the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
    • to monitor radiation releases
    see also time-release
  8. from unpleasant feeling

  9. [uncountable, singular] the feeling that you are free from pain, worry or some other unpleasant feeling
    • a sense of release after the exam
    • I think her death was a merciful release.
    • It’s just a release of tension.
    Extra Examples
    • She saw death as a welcome release from pain.
    • Sometimes we just need some release from the pressure.
    • Laughter is an important release valve for feelings of frustration.
    • Crying gave some emotional release.
    • All societies have social mechanisms for the release of tension.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • welcome
    • emotional
    • sexual
    verb + release
    • give (somebody)
    • need
    release + noun
    • valve
    preposition
    • release from
    phrases
    • a feeling of release
    • a sense of release
    • a release of tension
    See full entry
  10. see also press release, shutter release
    Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French reles (noun), relesser (verb), from Latin relaxare ‘stretch out again, slacken’, from re- (expressing intensive force) + laxus ‘lax, loose’.
See release in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee release in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
previously
adverb
 
 
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