<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to free from confinement, bondage, obligation, pain, etc.; let go: to release a prisoner; to release someone from a debt.</li><li>to free from anything that restrains, fastens, etc.: to release a catapult.</li><li>to allow to be known, issued, done, or exhibited: to release an article for publication.</li><li>to give up, relinquish, or surrender (a right, claim, etc.).</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a freeing or releasing from confinement, obligation, pain, emotional strain, etc.</li><li>a grant of permission, as to publish, use, or sell something.</li><li>the releasing of something for publication, performance, use, exhibition, or sale.</li><li>the film, book, record, etc., that is released.</li><li>the surrender of a right or the like to another.</li><li>a document embodying such a surrender.</li><li>a control mechanism for starting or stopping a machine, especially by removing some restrictive apparatus.</li><li>the opening of an exhaust port or valve at or near the working stroke of an engine so that the working fluid can be exhausted on the return stroke.</li></ul>