re·lease (r?-l?s?)tr.v. re·leased, re·leas·ing, re·leas·es 1. a. To set free from confinement or bondage: released the prisoner.b. To set free from physical restraint or binding; let go: released the balloons; released the brake.c. To cause or allow to move away or spread from a source or place of confinement: cells that release histamine.d. To make available for use: released the funds for the project.2. a. To set free from obligations, commitments, or debt: released them from their contract.b. To relieve of care or suffering: Only death could release him from suffering.3. a. To issue for performance, sale, publication, or distribution: release a new movie.b. To make known or available: released the new study on the drug.4. Law To surrender (a right, claim, or title).n.1. a. Deliverance or liberation, as from confinement.b. Discharge from an obligation or commitment.c. Relief from suffering or care.2. a. An unfastening or letting go, as of something caught or held fast.b. Sports The action of throwing a ball or propelling a puck: a quarterback with a quick release.c. Linguistics The movement of a vocal organ or organs so as to end the closure of a stop consonant.3. A device or catch for locking or releasing a mechanism.4. a. The act or an instance of issuing something for publication, use, or distribution.b. Something thus issued: a new release of a software program.c. The condition of being available, in use, or in publication: a movie in wide release.5. Law a. The surrender of a right, title, or claim, especially to one against whom the right, title, or claim would be enforced or exercised.b. The document attesting to such surrender.[Middle English relesen, from Old French relaissier, alteration of relacher, from Latin relax?re; see relax.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.release (r??li?s) vb (tr) 1. to free (a person, animal, etc) from captivity or imprisonment2. to free (someone) from obligation or duty3. to free (something) from (one’s grip); let go or fall4. to issue (a record, film, book, etc) for sale or circulation5. to make (news or information) known or allow (news or information) to be made known: to release details of an agreement. 6. (Law) law to relinquish (a right, claim, title, etc) in favour of someone else7. (Zoology) ethology to evoke (a response) through the presentation of a stimulus that produces the response innatelyn8. the act of freeing or state of being freed, as from captivity, imprisonment, duty, pain, life, etc9. the act of issuing for sale or publication10. something issued for sale or public showing, esp a film or musical recording: a new release from Bob Dylan. 11. a news item, document, etc, made available for publication, broadcasting, etc12. (Law) law the surrender of a claim, right, title, etc, in favour of someone else13. (Mechanical Engineering) a control mechanism for starting or stopping an engine14. (Mechanical Engineering) a. the opening of the exhaust valve of a steam engine near the end of the piston strokeb. the moment at which this valve opens15. (Music, other) the electronic control regulating how long a note sounds after a synthesizer key has been released16. (Photography) the control mechanism for the shutter in a camera[C13: from Old French relesser, from Latin relax?re to slacken; see relax] re?leaser nCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014re-lease (ri?lis) v.t. -leased, -leas?ing. to lease again. re?lease (r??lis) v. -leased, -leas?ing, n. v.t. 1. to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go. 2. to free from anything that restrains or fastens; loose. 3. to allow to be known, issued, done, or exhibited: to release an article for publication. 4. to relinquish or surrender (a legal right, claim, etc.). n. 5. a freeing or releasing from confinement, obligation, pain, emotional strain, etc. 6. liberation from anything that restrains or fastens. 7. a device or agency that effects such liberation. 8. a grant of permission, as to publish, use, or sell something. 9. the releasing of something for publication, performance, use, exhibition, or sale. 10. a film, book, record, etc., that is released. 11. a. the surrender of a legal right or the like to another. b. a document embodying such a surrender. 12. a control mechanism for starting or stopping a machine, esp. by removing some restrictive apparatus. [1250?1300; (v.) Middle English reles(s)en Release and let go are used in similar ways. Release is more formal than let go.If you release a person or animal or let them go, you allow them to leave or escape.To release or let go of something or someone also means to stop holding them.