discharge
discharge Lexical Profile
discharge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The official release or dismissal of a person from a hospital, military service, or employment.
"The patient received a full medical discharge after recovering from the surgery."
A flow or emission of a liquid, gas, or other substance, or the substance itself that is emitted.
"Environmental inspectors monitored the factory's wastewater discharge into the river."
A sudden release of electrical energy, or the firing of a weapon or projectile.
"Lightning is a massive electrostatic discharge occurring during a thunderstorm."
The complete fulfillment of an obligation, duty, or financial debt.
"The court granted a formal discharge of his remaining debts following the bankruptcy proceedings."
• verb
To officially allow someone to leave a hospital, military service, prison, or employment.
"The physician decided to discharge the patient once her fever subsided."
To emit, pour forth, or allow a liquid, gas, or other substance to flow out.
"The mountain stream continues to discharge cold meltwater into the valley lake."
To carry out, fulfill, or satisfy a duty, responsibility, or financial obligation.
"Public officials are expected to discharge their duties with integrity and transparency."
To release stored electrical energy from a battery or capacitor, or to fire a weapon.
"Leaving the headlights on overnight will completely discharge the car battery."
To unload cargo or passengers from a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle.
"The freighter docked at the port early this morning to discharge its cargo of grain."
• Rhymes for discharge
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French deschargier ('to unload or relieve'), which derives from Late Latin discarricare, combining dis- ('reversal') and carricare ('to load a wagon').