re·lease 1 vt re·leased, re·leas·ing
1 a: to relieve or free from obligation, liability, or responsibility
the debtor is released from all dischargeable debts
b: to give up (a claim, title, or right) to the benefit of another person: surrender
2: to set free from confinement
was released on personal recognizance
release 2 n
1 a: discharge from an obligation or responsibility that bars a cause of action
did not effect a release of the school for any negligence
b: the giving up or renunciation of a right or claim that bars a cause of action
was a release of the remainder of the debt
◇ A release may in some situations require consideration in order to be valid. A release of one joint obligor sometimes is considered to release all the obligors.
2: an act or instrument that effects a release
signed a release issued by the insurer – called also release of all claims; compare hold harmless
3: the act or instance of freeing esp. from custody
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.