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release
/rɪˈliːs/
to set free or make available
The company will release the new software next month.
The company will make the new software available to the public next month.
general
to set free from confinement or restraint
The prisoners were released after serving their sentences.
The prisoners were set free after completing their sentences.
Often used in legal or prison contexts.
general
to make something available to the public, especially a product or information
The band will release their new album next week.
The band will make their new album available to the public next week.
Common in media, technology, and business contexts.
general
to allow something to escape or flow out
The dam will release water to prevent flooding.
The dam will allow water to flow out to prevent flooding.
Used in engineering and environmental contexts.
Collocations
release fromto set free from somethingrelease toto make available to someonerelease ofthe act of making something available
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Collocations
'Release' is often followed by prepositions like 'from', 'to', or 'of', depending on the context.
Gold Rule
Transitive vs. Intransitive
When 'release' is transitive, it requires a direct object (e.g., 'release the prisoner'). When intransitive, it can mean to become available (e.g., 'The album releases next week').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'relesen', from Old French 'relasser', from Latin 'relaxare' meaning 'to loosen'.
Usage Notes
The verb 'release' can be transitive or intransitive. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object (e.g., 'release the prisoner'). As an intransitive verb, it can mean to become available (e.g., 'The movie releases next Friday').
Word Breakdown
re-
again
prefix-lease
to let go
rootEnglish Dictionary