2 ADJ If a place or situation is relaxed , it is calm and peaceful. □ The atmosphere at lunch was relaxed.
re|lax|ing /r I læ ks I ŋ/ ADJ Something that is relaxing is pleasant and helps you to relax. □ I find cooking very relaxing.
re|lay (relays , relaying , relayed ) The noun is pronounced /riː le I /. The verb is pronounced /r I le I /. 1 N‑COUNT A relay or a relay race is a race between two or more teams, for example teams of runners or swimmers. Each member of the team runs or swims one section of the race. □ Britain's prospects of beating the United States in the relay looked poor.
2 VERB To relay television or radio signals means to send them or broadcast them. □ [V n] The satellite will be used mainly to relay television programmes. □ [V n + to/from ] This system monitors radiation levels and relays the information to a central computer.
3 VERB If you relay something that has been said to you, you repeat it to another person. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She relayed the message, then frowned.
re|lease ◆◆◆ /r I liː s/ (releases , releasing , released )
1 VERB [usu passive] If a person or animal is released from somewhere where they have been locked up or looked after, they are set free or allowed to go. □ [be V -ed + from ] He was released from custody the next day. □ [be V -ed] He was released on bail.
2 N‑COUNT When someone is released, you refer to their release . □ He called for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
3 VERB If someone or something releases you from a duty, task, or feeling, they free you from it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + from ] The document released Mr Jackson from his obligations under the contract. □ [V n] This releases the teacher to work with individuals who are having extreme difficulty. ● N‑VAR [oft a N ] Release is also a noun. □ [+ from ] …release from stored tensions, traumas and grief.
4 VERB To release feelings or abilities means to allow them to be expressed. □ [V n] Becoming your own person releases your creativity. ● N‑UNCOUNT Release is also a noun. □ [+ of ] She felt the sudden sweet release of her own tears.
5 VERB If someone in authority releases something such as a document or information, they make it available. □ [V n] They're not releasing any more details yet. ● N‑COUNT Release is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Action had been taken to speed up the release of cheques.
6 VERB If you release someone or something, you stop holding them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He stopped and faced her, releasing her wrist.
7 VERB If you release a device, you move it so that it stops holding something. □ [V n] Wade released the hand brake and pulled away from the curb.
8 VERB If something releases gas, heat, or a substance, it causes it to leave its container or the substance that it was part of and enter the surrounding atmosphere or area. □ [V n] …a weapon which releases toxic nerve gas. ● N‑COUNT Release is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Under the agreement, releases of cancer-causing chemicals will be cut by about 80 per cent.
9 VERB When an entertainer or company releases a new CD, video, or film, it becomes available so that people can buy it or see it. □ [V n] He is releasing an album of love songs.
10 N‑COUNT A new release is a new CD, video, or film that has just become available for people to buy or see. □ Which of the new releases do you think are really good?
11 N‑UNCOUNT [on N ] If a film or video is on release or on general release , it is available for people to see in public cinemas or for people to buy. □ The film goes on release on February 1st.
12 → see also day release , news release , press release SYNONYMS release VERB 1
free: They are set to free more prisoners.
set free: Most of the prisoners were set free.
let out: I'd better go and let the dog out.
liberate: The government is devising a plan to liberate prisoners held in detention camps.
rel|egate /re l I ge I t/ (relegates , relegating , relegated )
1 VERB If you relegate someone or something to a less important position, you give them this position. □ [V n + to ] Military heroes were relegated to the status of ordinary citizens.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a sports team that competes in a league is relegated , it has to compete in a lower division in the next competition, because it was one of the least successful teams in the higher division. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed] If Leigh lose, they'll be relegated. ● rel|ega|tion /re l I ge I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Relegation to the Third Division would prove catastrophic.
re|lent /r I le nt/ (relents , relenting , relented )
1 VERB If you relent , you allow someone to do something that you had previously refused to allow them to do. □ [V ] Finally his mother relented and gave permission for her youngest son to marry.
2 VERB If bad weather relents , it improves. □ [V ] If the weather relents, the game will be finished today.
re|lent|less /r I le ntləs/
1 ADJ Something bad that is relentless never stops or never becomes less intense. □ The pressure now was relentless. ● re|lent|less|ly ADV □ The sun is beating down relentlessly.