discharge
/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /dis-ˈchärj ˈdis-ˌchärj/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdɪs.tʃɑːdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɪs.tʃɑːrdʒ/ (ame, ipa)
discharge — verb
- dischargepresent simple I / you / we / they
- dischargeshe / she / it
- dischargedpast simple
- discharging-ing form
1. to give someone official permission to go away from a place such as a hospital,
to give someone official permission to go away from a place such as a hospital, prison, or court, because they are no longer required to stay there
The hospital discharged Antonia three days after her operation.
Sumin was discharged from the army after serving for two years.
passive: be discharged from [institution]
The judge decided to discharge Élise from jury duty.
Before Bao could leave, the doctor had to sign the discharge papers.
Patients with mild symptoms are usually discharged within two days.
文法句型
discharge + noun phrase
be discharged from + place/institution
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice, especially in medical and military contexts. The subject of the active form is typically a hospital, court, or commanding officer — not a friend or family member.
常見錯誤
2. to let a liquid, gas, or waste material flow out from a container, pipe, or sour
to let a liquid, gas, or waste material flow out from a container, pipe, or source into the surrounding area
The factory discharged chemical waste directly into the nearby river.
direct object: discharge + [waste substance] + into + [place]
Thick smoke was discharged from the chimney all afternoon.
passive: be discharged from [source]
Jabari noticed a yellow liquid discharging from the wound on his arm.
An oil tanker was caught discharging waste into the ocean near the port last month.
Coal power plants discharge large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air every year.
文法句型
discharge + substance + into + place
substance + is discharged into + place
discharge into + place
用法筆記
Both transitive (the factory discharged waste) and intransitive (oil discharged from the pipe) patterns are common. In environmental contexts, the place of release is typically introduced by 'into'.
常見錯誤
3. to perform or complete a duty, responsibility, or task that you are officially r
to perform or complete a duty, responsibility, or task that you are officially required to do
The committee discharged its duties with great care and fairness.
collocation: discharge duties
Yael discharged her responsibilities as team leader for almost four years.
A trustee must discharge his or her legal obligations to the beneficiaries.
Ishaan felt proud to have discharged his role as captain of the mountain rescue team.
文法句型
discharge + duty/responsibility/obligation
用法筆記
Almost always used with a formal or official duty as the object. Common collocates are 'duty', 'responsibility', 'obligation', 'role', and 'function'. Avoid using with casual tasks like 'washing dishes' or 'taking out the trash'.
常見錯誤
4. to pay back all the money that is owed on a debt, loan, or mortgage so that noth
to pay back all the money that is owed on a debt, loan, or mortgage so that nothing remains to be paid
Lauren discharged all her student debts within two years of graduating.
collocation: discharge debts
The company was ordered to discharge its outstanding loans by the end of June.
The court granted Emre's application to discharge the bankruptcy order.
Failing to discharge the mortgage on time can lead to serious financial problems.
- incur
to take on new debt
- default on
to fail to make payments on a debt
文法句型
discharge + debt/loan/mortgage
用法筆記
Most common in formal financial and legal writing. In everyday conversation, 'pay off', 'pay back', or 'settle' are preferred. 'Discharge' is the standard term in bankruptcy law for canceling a debtor's obligation to pay.
常見錯誤
5. to fire a bullet from a gun or cause a weapon such as a rifle or cannon to fire
to fire a bullet from a gun or cause a weapon such as a rifle or cannon to fire
Henry accidentally discharged the rifle while cleaning it in his workshop.
collocation: discharge a rifle/weapon
The soldier was ordered not to discharge his weapon unless attacked first.
A loud bang was heard when the old cannon discharged during the ceremony.
Police officers are trained to discharge their firearms only in dangerous situations.
- load
to put ammunition into a weapon before it can be fired
文法句型
discharge + weapon/gun/rifle
discharge a shot
用法筆記
More formal and technical than 'fire' or 'shoot'. Common in official reports, historical writing, and legal contexts. In everyday conversation, 'fire' or 'shoot' are more natural. Can be used intransitively, as in 'the gun discharged accidentally'.
常見錯誤
discharge — noun
- dischargesingular
- dischargesplural
1. the official permission or process by which someone is allowed to leave a hospit
the official permission or process by which someone is allowed to leave a hospital, prison, or armed force after completing a required period or treatment
After her discharge from the hospital, Ishaan visited her every day.
pattern: after [possessive] discharge from [place]
The soldier received an honorable discharge after ten years of loyal service.
collocation: honorable discharge
Devika's discharge from prison was delayed due to a paperwork problem.
The hospital prepares a discharge summary for every patient who leaves the ward.
- admission
the process of entering a hospital as a patient
- enlistment
joining the armed forces voluntarily
文法句型
[possessive] discharge from + place
honorable/medical discharge
用法筆記
Can be countable ('a discharge from the army') or uncountable ('after discharge from hospital'). The adjective preceding it often describes the type — 'honorable discharge' from the military, 'medical discharge' from a hospital.
2. the act or process of allowing waste liquid, gas, or other harmful material to f
the act or process of allowing waste liquid, gas, or other harmful material to flow out into the surrounding environment
The discharge of chemicals into the lake killed hundreds of fish.
pattern: the discharge of [substance] into [place]
Strict government laws control the discharge of waste from industrial factories.
Environmental groups are protesting against the discharge of untreated sewage into the bay.
The power station was fined for the illegal discharge of polluted cooling water.
- treatment
the processing of waste to make it less harmful before release
文法句型
the discharge of + substance + into + place
用法筆記
Typically uncountable when referring to the process generally ('discharge of waste'), but countable when referring to a specific event ('the factory had three illegal discharges this year').
3. a thick or discolored fluid released from a wound or infected body part, often a
a thick or discolored fluid released from a wound or infected body part, often a sign of illness
The nurse noticed a yellow discharge coming from the patient's surgical wound.
pattern: [colour] discharge from [body part]
A thick white discharge from the eye can be a sign of conjunctivitis.
pattern: discharge from [body part]
The doctor took a sample of the discharge to test for harmful bacteria.
Ear discharge in young children sometimes indicates a middle ear infection.
文法句型
[adjective] discharge from [body part]
用法筆記
Used in medical contexts to describe abnormal fluids from the body due to infection or injury. It usually implies the fluid is a sign of illness, not a normal bodily function. 'Vaginal discharge' can be normal, but most other contexts signal infection.
常見錯誤
4. the act of fulfilling a duty, completing a responsibility, or paying back a fina
the act of fulfilling a duty, completing a responsibility, or paying back a financial debt in full
The committee must ensure the proper discharge of all its official responsibilities.
pattern: proper discharge of [duties]
Bao received a bonus for the successful discharge of her duties as project manager.
The auditor's report examines the discharge of public funds by local government agencies.
The CEO emphasized the timely discharge of all contractual obligations before the deadline.
- fulfillment
emphasizes meeting expectations; slightly more common in everyday English
- performance
broader; can refer to how well a task is done, not just that it was completed
- neglect
the failure to carry out responsibilities
文法句型
the discharge of + duty/obligation/debt
用法筆記
Always uncountable and always used with 'the' + 'of' ('the discharge of duties'). Never used in the plural. This sense combines both performing duties and paying debts, so the context determines which meaning is intended.
常見錯誤
5. the act of firing a weapon such as a gun, rifle, or cannon, or the sound that th
the act of firing a weapon such as a gun, rifle, or cannon, or the sound that this produces
The discharge of the starting pistol marked the official beginning of the race.
The loud discharge of the hunting rifle scared the birds away from the field.
pattern: loud discharge of [weapon]
Neighbors reported hearing the discharge of a gun around midnight on Saturday.
The sound of a discharge echoed through the valley during the hunting season.
文法句型
the discharge of + weapon
用法筆記
More formal than 'shot' or 'gunfire'. Common in legal reports, news articles, and historical accounts. Countable when referring to specific events ('three discharges were heard'), uncountable when referring to the general action ('the discharge of firearms is prohibited').