releases
releases — verb
- releasespresent simple I / you / we / they
- releaseses3rd person singular
- releasesing-ing form
- releasesedpast simple
1. to let a person or animal leave a place where they have been forced to stay, suc
to let a person or animal leave a place where they have been forced to stay, such as a prison, cage, or hospital.
The judge ordered the guards to release the prisoner after the court hearing.
release + direct object (person) + after [event]
After the oil spill, volunteers worked together to release the rescued seabirds back into the wild.
release + animal + back into + location
Gabriel was released from the hospital on Thursday after making a full recovery.
The wildlife centre will release the bear cub into the forest once it is fully healed.
Activists demanded that the government release all political prisoners immediately.
文法句型
release + noun phrase (person/animal) + from + place
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive voice (especially with from + institution). Object is most often a person or animal kept against their will.
常見錯誤
2. to stop holding or pressing something such as a handle, button, or lever so that
to stop holding or pressing something such as a handle, button, or lever so that it can move back to its original position.
Gabriel released the brake and the car began to roll down the hill.
release + brake to allow movement
Quinn released the rope, and the sailboat drifted away from the dock.
Keiko released the window latch and pushed the frame open to let in fresh air.
Yan released his grip on the suitcase handle and stretched his fingers.
文法句型
release + noun phrase (part of a device)
用法筆記
Object is usually a mechanical part of a device (brake, switch, button, lever, latch, catch). Do not confuse with 'let go of' (more general: 'let go of my hand').
3. to drop or fire a bomb, missile, or other military weapon from an aircraft or la
to drop or fire a bomb, missile, or other military weapon from an aircraft or launcher so that it falls toward a target.
The fighter jet released its payload over the designated test range.
release + military payload from aircraft
This drone can release small guided missiles with very high accuracy.
During the training exercise, the pilot released two practice bombs over the sea.
The helicopter released a flare to confuse the heat-seeking missile.
- hold
to keep the weapon on board
文法句型
release + weapon + from + aircraft/launcher
用法筆記
Restricted to military or combat contexts. The subject is always a weapon system (aircraft, drone, launcher, soldier). Not used for throwing objects by hand.
常見錯誤
4. to let a gas, liquid, heat, or other substance flow out of a container, pipe, or
to let a gas, liquid, heat, or other substance flow out of a container, pipe, or natural source into the surrounding environment.
The old factory released toxic chemicals into the river for many years.
release + chemicals/toxins + into + environment
When Lakan opened the bottle, the compressed gas released with a loud hiss.
passive-like intransitive: gas released (with sound)
The steel plant near Akira's school releases thick black smoke into the air every morning.
The wound released a small amount of clear fluid, so the nurse cleaned it gently.
文法句型
release + substance + into + location
用法筆記
Often used in environmental and scientific contexts. The substance is described as flowing, leaking, or escaping — not being actively pushed out by a person.
常見錯誤
5. to give way to a strong feeling you were keeping hidden, letting it show in your
to give way to a strong feeling you were keeping hidden, letting it show in your words or actions.
After the funeral, Camila finally released all the grief she had been holding inside.
release + grief / sadness held inside
Running helps Andrei release the stress and frustration from a long day at work.
The children released their excitement by shouting and running around the playground.
Therapy gave Shanti a safe space to release the anger she had bottled up for years.
文法句型
release + emotion noun phrase
用法筆記
The emotion is always framed as something that was previously held back or suppressed. Common objects: grief, anger, frustration, stress, tension, excitement.
常見錯誤
6. to make information, a report, a statement, or other material available for the
to make information, a report, a statement, or other material available for the public to see, read, or use.
The company released its annual earnings report to shareholders this morning.
release + report + to + audience
The police have not yet released the name of the victim to the media.
release + information + to the media / public
The government will release the full investigation findings next week.
The university released a statement confirming the new scholarship programme.
- publish
standard for books, articles, and academic work
- issue
formal; used for official statements, warnings, or directives
- make public
phrasal; emphasises the before/after secrecy contrast
文法句型
release + noun phrase (information) + to + audience
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'issue' (more formal/official documents) and 'publish' (printed or online media). 'Release' emphasises the act of making something available that was previously restricted or confidential.
常見錯誤
7. to make a film, album, or other entertainment work available for audiences to wa
to make a film, album, or other entertainment work available for audiences to watch, listen to, or buy, typically through a studio, record label, or streaming service.
Netflix released a new documentary about climate change last week.
release + documentary (streaming media)
The band's first album was released in 2019 and quickly became a hit in Japan.
A24 plans to release the horror film in cinemas across Taiwan this autumn.
Nadia was thrilled when the studio finally released her short film online.
Every year the orchestra releases a live recording of its New Year concert.
- withhold
to keep something from being made available, often deliberately
文法句型
release + noun phrase (film, album, single, documentary)
用法筆記
The subject is typically an organisation (studio, label, platform), not an individual creator. An individual 'releases' work only when they self-publish it through their own means.
常見錯誤
8. to put a new product, device, or piece of software on the market so customers ca
to put a new product, device, or piece of software on the market so customers can purchase it, frequently accompanied by promotional events or marketing campaigns.
Apple released the latest iPad model with a faster processor in March.
release + product model (electronics)
Toyota plans to release a fully electric SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show next year.
The gaming company released a new version of its controller with longer battery life.
Barnes & Noble will release the author's debut novel in hardcover this June.
Samsung released its foldable phone across Southeast Asia before other markets.
- discontinue
to stop making or selling a product
文法句型
release + noun phrase (product, model, version, software)
用法筆記
Often used interchangeably with 'launch' for products, but 'release' places more emphasis on the item becoming available to buy, while 'launch' emphasises the promotional event around it.
常見錯誤
9. To formally free a person or organisation from a legal duty, debt, or promise, o
To formally free a person or organisation from a legal duty, debt, or promise, or to voluntarily give up a right or entitlement that you hold.
The hospital released Dr. Okafor from any legal responsibility after the review.
release + someone + from + liability (legal)
By signing the form, Mei released the delivery company from all future claims regarding the damaged goods.
The landlord released Liang from the lease agreement after Liang found a job in another city.
The court ordered the bank to release its claim on the family home.
Ravindra agreed to release his right to inherit the property in exchange for cash.
文法句型
release + someone + from + obligation/liability
release + a + claim/right
用法筆記
Typically appears in legal documents, contracts, and court proceedings. Unlike the other senses, this one can take an abstract object (a claim, a right, an obligation) rather than a physical item.
常見錯誤
releases — noun
- releasessingular
- releasesesplural
1. the moment when someone who has been kept in prison is set free, either at the e
the moment when someone who has been kept in prison is set free, either at the end of their sentence or by an earlier decision
After serving twelve years, Bao's release from prison was celebrated by his whole family.
The court ordered the early release of the young man because of his good behavior.
collocation: early release
Walid's release date was moved forward after the lawyer presented new evidence.
Paloma felt nervous on the morning of her release, unsure what life outside prison held.
- freedom
more general; 'release' focuses on the act, 'freedom' on the resulting state
- liberation
more formal and dramatic, often used for groups or political contexts
- imprisonment
the act of being put or kept in prison
- captivity
the state of being kept as a prisoner
用法筆記
Often used with 'early', 'conditional', or 'parole' to describe the type of release.
常見錯誤
2. the process by which a gas, liquid, or other material flows or escapes from a co
the process by which a gas, liquid, or other material flows or escapes from a container or place where it was held
The release of dangerous chemicals from the factory alarmed everyone living nearby.
collocation: release of [substance]
Engineers managed to stop the release of oil into the river before it spread further.
The sudden release of water from the dam caused flooding in the valley below.
A steady release of steam from the kettle kept the kitchen warm all morning.
- containment
the action of keeping something harmful under control
用法筆記
Typically used with 'of' followed by the substance name (e.g. release of gas, release of heat). In environmental contexts, often refers to accidental or unwanted escape.
3. a feeling of being freed from worry, stress, or an unpleasant emotional state, o
a feeling of being freed from worry, stress, or an unpleasant emotional state, often after a difficult period
Finishing her final exams gave Saira an incredible feeling of release.
pattern: feeling of release
For Bao, talking to a close friend provided a release from daily stress.
Learning that the surgery went well gave the Watanabe family a deep sense of release.
A long run after work offers many people a welcome release from mental tension.
用法筆記
Often found in the phrases 'a sense of release', 'a feeling of release', or 'a release from [something stressful]'. Not used as a countable noun for specific instances.
常見錯誤
4. the point at which a product, set of information, or a service is made available
the point at which a product, set of information, or a service is made available to the public, typically in a business or official context (as distinct from the release of creative works such as films or music).
The company announced the release of its new software for home users next month.
collocation: announcement / release of [product]
The government delayed the release of the official report until all the facts were checked.
The release of the updated safety rules was welcomed by workers at the building site.
The museum prepared for the public release of the ancient documents next spring.
- publication
specifically for written or printed material; more formal
- launch
often used for products with a marketing event; suggests a big promotional push
- distribution
focuses on the physical or digital delivery rather than the act of making available
用法筆記
Used for information, products, software, and official documents. For creative works like films and music, the more specific noun 'release' (sense 6 or via the verb) is preferred.
5. an official written document sent to journalists and media organizations to anno
an official written document sent to journalists and media organizations to announce news or give information about a particular event or decision
The hospital issued a press release to update the public on the patient's condition.
phrase: issue a press release
According to a press release from the company, the new factory will open next year.
The mayor's office sent out a press release detailing the new city park project.
Journalists received a press release from the charity describing its work in rural schools.
- statement
a broader term; a press release is a specific type of written statement for the media
- announcement
can be spoken or written; less formal than 'press release'
- bulletin
usually shorter and more urgent than a press release
用法筆記
Almost always used in the compound form 'press release'. Can be shortened to 'release' only when the context is clearly about media communications.
常見錯誤
6. a new piece of music, such as a song or album, that is offered for sale or strea
a new piece of music, such as a song or album, that is offered for sale or streaming to the public
Otis bought the new release by his favorite band on the day it came out.
The singer's latest release reached number one on the music charts in its first week.
collocation: latest release / new release
Naoko downloaded the new release from the jazz quartet and listened on the bus.
The band's first release was a simple three-song record made in a local studio.
用法筆記
Also used for films, video games, and books, though the most common context is music. Often modified by 'new', 'latest', 'first', or 'upcoming'.
7. the situation in which a film is shown in cinemas and people can go and watch it
the situation in which a film is shown in cinemas and people can go and watch it, especially when it is available at many cinemas at the same time
The science‑fiction film was on general release in Malaysia for eight weeks.
on general release — fixed phrase for wide cinema availability
Asher's new documentary received a limited release at art‑house cinemas across Japan.
collocation: limited release
The studio planned a wide release for the animated film in over forty countries.
Mei waited for the film's release, but it arrived at her local cinema weeks late.
A director's cut of the horror film went on limited release in New York.
用法筆記
The fixed expression 'on general release' describes a film showing at many cinemas. 'Wide release' and 'limited release' describe the scale of cinema availability.