1. To set free from confinement, restraint, or bondage: released the prisoners.
2. To free from something that binds, fastens, or holds back; let go: released the balloons; released a flood of questions.
3. To dismiss, as from a job.
4. To relieve of debt or obligation.
5. To relieve of care and suffering.
6.
a. To issue for performance, sale, publication, or distribution.
b. To make known or available.
7. To relinquish (a right or claim).
n.
1. A deliverance or liberation, as from confinement, restraint, or suffering.
2. An authoritative discharge, as from an obligation or from prison.
3. An unfastening or letting go of something caught or held fast.
4. A device or catch for locking or releasing a mechanism.
5.
a. The act or an instance of issuing something for publication, use, or distribution.
b. Something thus released: a new release of a software program.
c. The condition of being available, in use, or in publication: a movie in wide release.
6. Law
a. Relinquishment to another of a right, title, or claim.
b. The document authorizing such relinquishment.
7. Linguistics The movement of a vocal organ or organs so as to end the closure of a stop consonant.
[Middle English relesen, from Old French relaissier, alteration of relacher, from Latin relaxre; see relax.]
release /rilis, r/ v. [T] -leased, -leasing, -leases1 to let s.t. go, set it free: He releases his pet birds from their cage each day.2 to let s.t. be used publicly: That movie was released last month and is appearing in neighborhood theaters. n.1 [C;U] permission to do s.t., freedom: A prisoner got an early release from jail for good behavior.2 [C] a new movie or musical recording: I bought two new releases at the music store.
Thesaurus: releasev. 1to let s.t. out | liberate. Ant. to confine.2 to issue, be out, put out.
lis, r
/ v. [T] -leased, -leasing, -leases 1 to let s.t. go, set it free: He releases his pet birds from their cage each day. 2 to let s.t. be used publicly: That movie was released last month and is appearing in neighborhood theaters. 
n. 1 [C;U] permission to do s.t., freedom: A prisoner got an early release from jail for good behavior. 2 [C] a new movie or musical recording: I bought two new releases at the music store.
-l
s
)
re; see relax.]