verb
discharge
dihs-CHAHJ
verb
1
To officially release someone from a hospital, job, the armed forces, or legal custody.
"He was discharged from the hospital after a week of treatment."
"She was honorably discharged from the army after ten years of service."
2
To fire a weapon, or to release something suddenly, such as a liquid, gas, or electrical charge.
"The gun was accidentally discharged during cleaning."
"Untreated waste was discharged directly into the river."
3
To fulfil or pay off a duty, debt, or obligation.
"The company discharged its debts before going into liquidation."
noun
1
The act of releasing someone or something, such as a patient, employee, or soldier.
"He received his discharge papers a month early."
2
A substance released from the body or another source, such as pus or waste.
"The doctor asked about any unusual discharge."
3
The volume of water flowing through a river or channel over time.
"Scientists measured the river's discharge after the heavy rains."
How to Use Discharge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo release, let out, or pay off — used for hospital patients, soldiers, weapons, liquids, debts, and more depending on context.
Common pairings
honorable discharge
discharge a patient
discharge a debt
Word Forms
discharged past tense, discharges plural, discharges singular
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Etymology
From Middle English dischargen, from Old French deschargier ("to unload"), from Late Latin discarricare — built from dis- + charge.