discharge

To officially allow someone to leave a hospital, the armed forces, or a place holding them.

• The hospital discharged her yesterday.
• He was honourably discharged from the army.
• Will the doctor discharge me today?

How to use it: discharge someone from something (The doctor discharged her from hospital yesterday.); be discharged (He was discharged after completing his military service.)

Similar words: release

Opposites: admit

Common phrases: discharge a patient, discharge someone from something, discharge someone home

To let something flow or come out of a place or container.

• The pipe discharges water.
• The factory discharged waste into the sea.
• Gas was discharged through a small opening.

How to use it: discharge something into something (The pipe discharges water into the river.)

Similar words: release, expel, emit

Common phrases: discharge waste, discharge into something, discharge water

To let something leave a place where it was held, sometimes suddenly or all at once.

• The valve discharges steam.
• The factory discharged waste into the river.
• Pressure dropped when gas was discharged from the tank.

How to use it: discharge something into something (The pipe discharges water into the river.); discharge something from something (They discharged the steam from the tank.)

Similar words: release, emit, let out

Common phrases: discharge steam, discharge waste, discharge something into something

To lose stored electricity or let it flow out.

• The battery discharged overnight.
• This circuit discharges the capacitor safely.
• Unused batteries can discharge slowly.

Similar words: drain

Opposites: charge

Common phrases: discharge a battery, discharge completely, discharge a capacitor

To fire a gun, or for a gun to fire.

• The gun discharged accidentally.
• He discharged his pistol into the air.
• No weapons were discharged during the arrest.

Similar words: fire, shoot

Common phrases: discharge a gun, discharge a weapon, discharge accidentally

To pay what you owe or complete something you are required to do.

• She discharged the debt in full.
• They have discharged all their legal obligations.
• His final payment will discharge the loan.

Similar words: settle, fulfil

Common phrases: discharge a debt, discharge an obligation, discharge your duties

Liquid other than blood that comes from a wound or body opening, often because of an infection.

• There was yellow discharge from the wound.
• The doctor asked about the discharge from his eye.
• Has the discharge changed color?

How to use it: discharge from something (She noticed discharge from her ear.)

Similar words: secretion

Common phrases: yellow discharge, discharge from something, vaginal discharge, clear discharge

The action of letting something out, especially firing a gun.

• An accidental discharge damaged the wall.
• The valve allows a slow discharge of steam.
• Several discharges were heard near the firing range.

How to use it: discharge of something (We heard the discharge of a firearm.)

Similar words: release, firing

Common phrases: accidental discharge, discharge of steam, discharge averted