discharge
gb/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/ us/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 5700
elbocsát, leszerel, szabadon bocsát, elbocsátás, leszerelés, zárójelentés, kibocsát, elvezet, enged, váladék, folyás, elsüt, elsül, kisüt, ellát, eleget tesz, teljesít, rendez, elenged, mentesít, elektromos kisülés, sztatikus kisülés, villamos kisülés
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to discharge [someone] from [a place/service]
The doctor decided to discharge her from the hospital on Friday.
Az orvos úgy döntött, hogy pénteken elbocsátja a kórházból.
He was discharged from the army after ten years of service.
Tíz év szolgálat után leszerelték a hadseregből.
The court discharged the prisoner after finding new evidence.
Due to poor performance, the company discharged three employees last month.
The judge discharged the jury and set a new trial date.
Learner examples
The nurse will discharge you tomorrow.
A nővér holnap el fog bocsátani a kórházból.
He was discharged from prison last year.
Tavaly szabadon bocsátották a börtönből.
She was discharged from the army after one tour.
The company discharged him after the accident.
The doctor said they can discharge the child today.
Common mistake:
Learners often use "go out" or "let go" instead of "discharge" in formal contexts like hospitals or the army. Use "discharge" when the leaving is official and decided by an authority, especially in written or formal speech.
Meaning
officially release from place or service
Collocations
discharge a patient
|discharge a soldier
|discharge a prisoner
|discharge an employee
|discharge from hospital
|honorably discharged
Synonyms
release (More general and less formal; can be physical or abstract, not always official.)
|
dismiss (Common for jobs and duties; often suggests being removed from a position, sometimes negatively.)
Antonyms
admit (Opposite in the hospital or prison context: to allow someone to enter and stay instead of letting them leave.)
|
enlist (Opposite in the military context: to join the armed forces rather than be released from them.)
Themes
work
|law
|health
|society
Definition
To officially let someone leave a hospital, prison, the army, or a job.
To officially allow someone to leave a hospital, prison, military service, job, or other form of duty or care.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s discharge from [a place/service]
He received an honorable discharge after twenty years in the navy.
Húsz év haditengerészeti szolgálat után tisztes leszerelésben részesült.
The hospital is waiting for the doctor's signature before issuing her discharge.
A kórház az orvos aláírására vár, mielőtt kiadná a zárójelentését.
His discharge from prison came as a surprise to the local community.
She keeps her discharge papers in a safe place with her other important documents.
The judge ordered the discharge of the defendant due to a lack of evidence.
Learner examples
He was happy to get an honorable discharge.
Örült, hogy tisztes leszerelést kapott.
The nurse gave me my discharge papers.
A nővér odaadta a zárójelentésemet.
His discharge from the army was last month.
The doctor signed my discharge this morning.
Her discharge from prison changed her life.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "exit paper" or "leave paper" instead of "discharge papers" when talking about leaving a hospital or the army. Use "discharge" or "discharge papers" to sound natural.
Meaning
official release from duty or care
Collocations
honorable discharge
|dishonorable discharge
|military discharge
|discharge papers
|discharge from hospital
|grant a discharge
Synonyms
release (General term; does not strongly suggest an official document or status, but often overlaps.)
|
dismissal (Usually used for loss of a job; less often used for hospital or prison contexts.)
Antonyms
enlistment (Opposite situation in the military: joining rather than officially leaving service.)
|
admission (Opposite in hospital or prison context: being officially accepted or taken in rather than released.)
Themes
law
|work
|health
|society
Definition
The official act or paper that shows someone can leave a hospital, prison, job, or the army.
The official act, status, or document that shows someone has been released from a hospital, prison, job, military service, or other duty or care.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to discharge [a substance] into [a place]
The factory was fined for discharging toxic waste into the river.
A gyárat megbírságolták, mert mérgező hulladékot engedett a folyóba.
Storm drains are designed to discharge excess water quickly.
A csapadékvíz-elvezetőket úgy tervezik, hogy gyorsan elvezessék a felesleges vizet.
The ship accidentally discharged oil near the coast.
New regulations limit how much wastewater plants can discharge each day.
The valve automatically opens to discharge pressure if it becomes too high.
Learner examples
The pipe discharges dirty water into the lake.
A cső piszkos vizet enged a tóba.
The company cannot discharge waste in this area.
A vállalat ezen a területen nem bocsáthat ki hulladékot.
The machine discharges hot air from the back.
This river is dirty because factories discharge chemicals here.
The tank discharges water when it is full.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "throw" or "put" for industrial or environmental contexts, as in "throw waste into the river." In formal or written English, especially about companies or machines, "discharge" or "release" is more natural.
Meaning
send out liquid, gas, or material
Collocations
discharge waste
|discharge sewage
|discharge chemicals
|discharge pollutants
|discharge into the river
|illegally discharge
Synonyms
emit (More technical and scientific; commonly used for gases, light, or radiation.)
|
release (Very common and general; does not always imply a continuous flow.)
Antonyms
contain (Opposite because it means keeping a substance inside rather than letting it out.)
|
retain (Means holding something back instead of allowing it to flow out.)
Themes
environment
|industry
|science
|daily_life
Definition
To let liquid, gas, or another material come out from a place.
To send out, let out, or allow liquid, gas, or another substance to flow or escape from somewhere.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a discharge from [something]
The doctor asked if she had noticed any unusual vaginal discharge.
Az orvos megkérdezte, észlelt-e bármilyen szokatlan hüvelyi folyást.
A thick nasal discharge can be a sign of infection.
A sűrű orrváladék fertőzés jele lehet.
The report blamed chemical discharge from nearby factories for the fish deaths.
Inspectors measured the plant's wastewater discharge over a three-day period.
The patient had a green discharge coming from the wound.
Learner examples
She went to the doctor because of a strange discharge.
Furcsa váladék miatt ment orvoshoz.
There was a yellow discharge from his nose.
Sárga váladék folyt az orrából.
The factory’s discharge is polluting the river.
The nurse cleaned the discharge from the cut.
They tested the water discharge from the plant.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "water" or "liquid" instead of "discharge" in medical talk. In health contexts, doctors often say "discharge" to mean any fluid coming from the body that is unusual or needs checking.
Meaning
substance that is let out
Collocations
nasal discharge
|vaginal discharge
|abnormal discharge
|chemical discharge
|industrial discharge
|wastewater discharge
Synonyms
emission (Often used in environmental or technical contexts, especially for gases.)
|
secretion (Mostly used for substances produced by the body or plants.)
Antonyms
retention (Opposite medical or technical concept: keeping a substance inside rather than letting it out.)
Themes
health
|environment
|science
Definition
Liquid, gas, or other material that comes out from a place or from the body.
Liquid, gas, or another material that flows or is released out of a container, opening, machine, or the body.
VERB
C1
5
Usage pattern:
to discharge [a weapon/energy]
The officer discharged his firearm after giving several warnings.
A rendőr több figyelmeztetés után elsütötte a lőfegyverét.
The gun discharged accidentally while he was cleaning it.
A fegyver véletlenül elsült, miközben tisztította.
The device discharges a small electric shock when touched.
Lightning is a powerful form of electricity that discharges between clouds and the ground.
The capacitor can discharge its stored energy in a fraction of a second.
Learner examples
The soldier discharged his gun.
A katona elsütötte a fegyverét.
The gun discharged by accident.
A fegyver véletlenül elsült.
The toy can discharge a small electric shock.
Lightning discharges a lot of energy.
The battery can discharge quickly in cold weather.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only "shoot" for guns and do not recognize "discharge" in news or legal reports. In police or legal language, "discharge a firearm" is the standard phrase meaning "fire a gun."
Meaning
fire weapon or release energy
Collocations
discharge a firearm
|accidentally discharge
|discharge a gun
|discharge a Taser
|electrically discharge
|discharge static electricity
Synonyms
fire (Common everyday verb for using guns; does not apply to electrical energy.)
|
release (More general; can describe letting out energy but is less specific about sudden force.)
Antonyms
load (Opposite in the weapon context: putting bullets or ammunition in rather than firing them.)
|
charge (Opposite in the energy context: storing electricity or power instead of letting it out.)
Themes
violence
|technology
|law
|science
Definition
To fire a gun or to suddenly let out stored power like electricity.
To fire a gun or other weapon, or to release stored energy, such as electricity, in a sudden burst.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
6
Usage pattern:
to discharge [one's] duties/responsibilities/obligations
The board concluded that the director had failed to discharge his duties properly.
Az igazgatótanács arra a következtetésre jutott, hogy az igazgató nem látta el megfelelően a feladatait.
She discharged her responsibilities with great care and professionalism.
Nagy gondossággal és szakértelemmel látta el a feladatait.
As a citizen, you are expected to discharge your civic duties, such as voting.
The trustee must discharge all obligations in the best interest of the beneficiaries.
He felt he had discharged his moral duty by telling the truth.
Learner examples
He did not discharge his duties well.
Nem látta el jól a kötelességeit.
She always discharges her responsibilities on time.
Mindig időben teljesíti a kötelezettségeit.
The manager must discharge his duty to protect staff.
They tried to discharge their legal obligations.
The teacher discharged her duty to help the students.
Common mistake:
Learners rarely use this formal sense and instead say "do" or "finish" a duty. In legal or official writing, use "discharge your duties" or "discharge your obligations" instead of "do your duties."
Meaning
carry out a duty or responsibility
Collocations
discharge one's duties
|discharge responsibilities
|discharge an obligation
|faithfully discharge
|properly discharge
|fully discharge
Synonyms
fulfill (Very close in meaning; more common in both formal and everyday language.)
|
carry out (More general and slightly less formal; can be used for tasks as well as duties.)
Antonyms
neglect (Opposite because it means failing to do what duty or responsibility requires.)
|
breach (In legal or formal contexts, breaking or failing to meet a duty or obligation.)
Themes
work
|law
|society
|business
Definition
To do what you must do because it is your duty or responsibility.
To perform, carry out, or fulfill a duty, responsibility, or obligation.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
7
Usage pattern:
to discharge [a debt/obligation/liability]
He worked overtime to discharge his debts as quickly as possible.
Túlórázott, hogy a lehető leggyorsabban rendezze az adósságait.
The court discharged most of her loans through bankruptcy.
A bíróság a csődeljárás során elengedte a hitelei nagy részét.
Once the mortgage is discharged, the bank will remove its claim on the house.
The company failed to discharge its tax obligations on time.
The agreement allowed the government to discharge part of the nation's foreign debt.
Learner examples
He wants to discharge all his debts.
Minden adósságát rendezni akarja.
The court discharged her student loans.
A bíróság elengedte a diákhiteleit.
They finally discharged their mortgage last year.
The company must discharge its tax obligations.
After ten years, the debt was discharged.
Common mistake:
Learners often only use "pay" for debts and may not understand "discharge a debt" in news or legal texts. "Discharge" is more formal and often used when the debt is removed by law or official agreement, not only by simple payment.
Meaning
pay off or cancel a debt
Collocations
discharge a debt
|discharge an obligation
|discharge a liability
|discharge a mortgage
|discharge student loans
|debts discharged in bankruptcy
Synonyms
settle (Common financial verb; usually means fully paying what is owed.)
|
wipe out (Informal; often used to mean completely remove or eliminate a debt.)
Antonyms
incur (Opposite because it means to create or take on a debt or obligation rather than remove it.)
|
owe (Opposite state: still having a debt instead of having it discharged.)
Themes
business
|law
|finance
Definition
To pay or remove a debt or legal duty so that you do not owe it anymore.
To pay off, remove, or formally cancel a debt, duty, or legal obligation so that it no longer exists.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
8
Usage pattern:
an electrical discharge between [objects]
Lightning is a powerful natural electrical discharge.
A villámlás erőteljes természetes elektromos kisülés.
The device protects the circuit from sudden discharge of static electricity.
A készülék megvédi az áramkört a statikus elektromosság hirtelen kisülésétől.
Engineers studied the discharge that occurred between the two electrodes.
Improper wiring can cause dangerous electrical discharges in the home.
The experiment measured the length of each spark discharge.
Learner examples
Lightning is an electrical discharge.
A villámlás elektromos kisülés.
Static discharge can damage a computer chip.
A sztatikus kisülés károsíthatja a számítógépes chipet.
They saw a small discharge between the wires.
The engineer studied the electrical discharge.
A spark is a type of electrical discharge.
Meaning
flow of electricity between points
Collocations
electrical discharge
|static discharge
|corona discharge
|lightning discharge
|high-voltage discharge
|spark discharge
Synonyms
spark (Common word for a small, visible electrical discharge.)
Antonyms
insulation (Not a direct logical opposite, but insulation prevents electrical discharge by stopping the flow of electricity.)
Themes
science
|technology
Definition
A sudden movement of electricity from one place to another.
A flow of electricity between objects or through a medium, often occurring suddenly when there is a difference in electric charge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
discharge
IPA
GB/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
US/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
dis - charge (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dis)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: discharge
- Plural: discharge, discharges
Verb
- Base: discharge
- 3rd Person Singular: discharges
- Present Participle: discharging
- Past: discharged
Word family
Expressions
discharge a debt
1/dɪst͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ ə dˈɛt/
fixed phrase
formal
pay off or cancel a debt
To pay or remove a debt so that you do not owe it anymore.
Examples
- He managed to discharge his debt within five years.
- The court discharged her debt through bankruptcy.
discharge a firearm
1/dɪst͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ ə fˈaɪɚˌɑɹm/
fixed phrase
fire or shoot a gun
To fire a gun.
Examples
- The officer discharged his firearm after giving a warning.
- It is illegal to discharge a firearm within city limits.
discharge a patient
1/dɪst͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ ə pˈeɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
officially release a patient
For a doctor or nurse to officially let a patient leave the hospital or clinic.
Examples
- The doctor decided to discharge the patient later that day.
- We cannot discharge a patient without a family member present.
discharge from hospital
1/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ fɹˈʌm hˈɔspˌɪtəl/
fixed phrase
officially let a patient leave
To officially let a patient go home from a hospital.
Examples
- The surgeon said my mother’s discharge from hospital will be on Monday.
- After three days, the child was well enough for discharge from hospital.
discharge from the army
1/dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ fɹˈʌm ðə ˈɑɹmi/
fixed phrase
official release from the army
To officially let someone leave the army.
Examples
- He received his discharge from the army after eight years.
- After her discharge from the army, she started college.
discharge one's duties
1/dɪst͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒ wˈʌnz dˈutiz/
fixed phrase
formal
perform your duties or responsibilities
To do the work and responsibilities that are your duty.
Examples
- The committee said she had discharged her duties faithfully.
- He was unable to discharge his duties because of illness.
dishonorable discharge
1/dɪsˈɑnɚəbəl dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
punitive removal from military service
When a soldier is forced to leave the military because of very bad behavior or a serious crime.
Examples
- He faced a court-martial and possible dishonorable discharge.
- A dishonorable discharge can make it hard to get a job.
honorable discharge
1/ˈɑnɚəbəl dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
official positive release from military
When a soldier leaves the military with a good record and no serious problems.
Examples
- He was proud to receive an honorable discharge after his service.
- An honorable discharge can help veterans find jobs more easily.
nasal discharge
1/nˈeɪzəl dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
fluid that comes from the nose
Liquid that comes out of the nose, often when you are sick.
Examples
- A thick nasal discharge can be a sign of infection.
- The doctor asked about the color of the child’s nasal discharge.
static discharge
1/stˈætɪk dˈɪst͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
sudden release of static electricity
A sudden movement of built-up electricity from one object to another.
Examples
- Static discharge can damage sensitive electronic parts.
- The device is designed to prevent static discharge during handling.