Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Release \Re*lease"\, n.
   1. (Mach.) A device adapted to hold or release a device or
      mechanism as required; specif.: (Elec.) A catch on a
      motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the
      rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in
      the field circuit; also, the catch on an electromagnetic
      circuit breaker for a motor, which acts in case of an
      overload.

   2. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound.

   3. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card
      conveying information and instructions to be used at
      intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.

Release \Re*lease"\ (r?-l?s"), v. t. [Pref. re + lease to let.]
   To lease again; to grant a new lease of; to let back.

Release \Re*lease"\ (r?-l?s"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Released}
   (r?*l?st"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Releasing}.] [OE. relessen, OF.
   relassier, to release, to let free. See {Relay}, n., {Relax},
   and cf. {Release} to lease again.]
   1. To let loose again; to set free from restraint,
      confinement, or servitude; to give liberty to, or to set
      at liberty; to let go.

            Now at that feast he released unto them one
            prisoner, whomsoever they desired.    --Mark xv. 6.

   2. To relieve from something that confines, burdens, or
      oppresses, as from pain, trouble, obligation, penalty.

   3. (Law) To let go, as a legal claim; to discharge or
      relinquish a right to, as lands or tenements, by conveying
      to another who has some right or estate in possession, as
      when the person in remainder releases his right to the
      tenant in possession; to quit.

   4. To loosen; to relax; to remove the obligation of; as, to
      release an ordinance. [Obs.] --Hooker.

            A sacred vow that none should aye release.
                                                  --Spenser.

   Syn: To free; liberate; loose; discharge; disengage;
        extricate; let go; quit; acquit.

Release \Re*lease"\, n.
   1. The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being
      let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint
      of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. ``Who
      boast'st release from hell.'' --Milton.

   2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden.

   3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt,
      penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance.

   4. (Law) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or
      claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements
      to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim.
      --Blackstone.

   5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to
      allow the steam to escape.

   {Lease and release}. (Law) See under {Lease}.

   {Out of release}, without cessation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See {Death}.

Source : WordNet®

release
     n 1: merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a
          record or film); "a new release from the London Symphony
          Orchestra"
     2: the act of liberating someone or something [syn: {liberation},
         {freeing}]
     3: a process that liberates or discharges something; "there was
        a sudden release of oxygen"; "the release of iodine from
        the thyroid gland"
     4: an announcement distributed to members of the press in order
        to supplement or replace an oral presentation [syn: {handout},
         {press release}]
     5: the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free
        to depart) [syn: {dismissal}, {dismission}, {discharge}, {firing},
         {liberation}, {sack}, {sacking}]
     6: euphemistic expressions for death; "thousands mourned his
        passing" [syn: {passing}, {loss}, {departure}, {exit}, {expiration},
         {going}]
     7: a legal document evidencing the discharge of a debt or
        obligation [syn: {acquittance}]
     8: activity that releases or expresses creative energy or
        emotion; "she had no other outlet for her feelings"; "he
        gave vent to his anger" [syn: {outlet}, {vent}]
     9: the act of allowing a fluid to escape [syn: {spill}, {spillage}]
     10: a formal written statement of relinquishment [syn: {waiver},
          {discharge}]
     11: (music) the act or manner of terminating a musical phrase or
         tone [syn: {tone ending}]
     v 1: release, as from one's grip; "Let go of the door handle,
          please!"; "relinquish your grip on the rope--you won't
          fall" [syn: {let go of}, {let go}, {relinquish}] [ant: {hold}]
     2: grant freedom to; free from confinement [syn: {free}, {liberate},
         {unloose}, {unloosen}, {loose}] [ant: {confine}]
     3: let (something) fall or spill a container; "turn the flour
        onto a plate" [syn: {turn}]
     4: eliminate (substances) from the body [syn: {discharge}, {expel},
         {eject}]
     5: prepare and issue for public distribution or sale; "publish
        a magazine or newspaper" [syn: {publish}, {bring out}, {put
        out}, {issue}]
     6: generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids; "secrete
        digestive juices"; "release a hormone into the blood
        stream" [syn: {secrete}]
     7: make (information) available publication; "release the list
        with the names of the prisoners" [syn: {free}]
     8: part with a possession or right; "I am relinquishing my
        bedroom to the long-term house guest"; "resign a claim to
        the throne" [syn: {relinquish}, {resign}, {free}, {give up}]
     9: make (assets) available; "release the holdings in the
        dictator's bank account" [syn: {unblock}, {unfreeze}, {free}]
        [ant: {freeze}, {freeze}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

release
     
         (Or "released version", "baseline") A version of
        a piece of software which has been made public (as opposed to
        a version that is in development, or otherwise unreleased).
     
        A release is either a {major release}, a {revision}, or a
        {bugfix}.
     
        Pre-release versions may be called {alpha test}, or {beta
        test} versions.
     
        See {change management}.
     
        (1996-08-04)