Releasing

rɪˈliːsɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonBusiness
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To set free from confinement, restraint, or obligation; to let go.

rɪˈliːsɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Business

To set free or allow to escape.

The company is releasing its new software next month.

💡 Simply: It's like letting something go! Like when you let a bird out of a cage, or when a company puts a new product on the market.

👶 For kids: Letting something go free, like letting a balloon go into the sky!

More Examples

2

They are releasing the prisoners after five years.

3

The government is releasing new guidelines today.

How It's Used

Law

"The court ordered the releasing of the prisoner."

Wildlife

"They are releasing the rehabilitated birds back into the wild."

2

To make (something) available to the public; to distribute or make available.

rɪˈliːsɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Arts

To make available to the public.

They are releasing a new version of the app.

💡 Simply: It's like putting something out there for everyone to see or use, like a new song, a movie, or a product.

👶 For kids: When something is ready for everyone to see or use, like a new toy or movie!

More Examples

2

The artist is releasing a new single tomorrow.

3

The company is releasing its financial results.

How It's Used

Entertainment

"The studio is releasing a new movie next week."

Music

"The band is releasing their new album on Friday."

Tip:Think of a movie being released in cinemas – it's being made available to everyone.
3

To allow or enable (a substance) to escape or be emitted; to discharge.

rɪˈliːsɪŋ

verbneutralmedium
General

To allow or enable (a substance) to escape or be emitted.

The volcano is releasing ash and lava.

💡 Simply: It's when something comes out, like steam from a pot, or when your body lets go of tension.

👶 For kids: When something comes out, like when you let a burp out!

More Examples

2

The process is releasing carbon dioxide.

3

The injury is releasing adrenaline.

How It's Used

Chemistry

"The reaction is releasing heat."

Environment

"The factory is releasing pollutants into the atmosphere."

Tip:Think of a gas being released from a container.

Idioms & expressions

Release the hounds

To unleash a group of people or resources to pursue or investigate something.

"After the scandal broke, the newspaper released the hounds, sending reporters to investigate every detail."

From Middle English *relesen*, from Old French *relas(s)er*, from Latin *relaxare* 'to loosen, slacken', from *re-* 'again' + *laxare* 'to loosen'.

The word 'release' and its derivatives have been used since the 14th century, initially with meanings related to freeing or setting loose. The sense of publishing or making public developed later.

Memory tip

Imagine a balloon escaping your grasp - that's releasing!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to loosen, slacken"

releasing a statementreleasing a prisonerreleasing a moviereleasing datareleasing energyreleasing pressurereleasing toxins

Common misspellings

relesingreleazingreleashing

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written