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discharge meaning and examples

2025-11-05

Meaning

Discharge has several meanings depending on the context.
As a verb, it means to release, allow to leave, or send out something or someone.
As a noun, it refers to the act of releasing or a substance that flows out.

  1. (verb) To allow someone to leave a place (hospital, military, etc.).
    “The patient was discharged from the hospital.”
  2. (verb) To fire or shoot (a weapon).
    “The soldier discharged his rifle.”
  3. (verb) To release liquid, gas, or electricity.
    “The factory discharged waste into the river.”
  4. (noun) The act of being released or dismissed.
    “His discharge from the army was unexpected.”
  5. (noun) A liquid or gas that is released.
    “There was a strange discharge from the pipe.”

Grammar and Usage

Part of Speech:

  • Verb (transitive/intransitive)
  • Noun

Common verb forms:

  • Base: discharge
  • Past: discharged
  • Past participle: discharged
  • Gerund: discharging

Typical sentence patterns:

  • discharge + object → “The hospital discharged the patient.”
  • be discharged from + place → “He was discharged from the navy.”
  • discharge + substance + into + place → “The factory discharged chemicals into the sea.”

Common Phrases

  • discharge a duty / responsibility – to perform or fulfill it
  • discharge from hospital / army / prison – to release someone officially
  • electric discharge – release of electricity
  • discharge of waste / pollutants – emission into the environment
  • honorable discharge – official release from military service with good record

Collocations

  • verb + discharge: allow, order, perform, prevent
  • noun + discharge: electric discharge, industrial discharge, official discharge
  • adjective + discharge: sudden, chemical, honorable, medical

Examples

  1. The hospital decided to discharge her after a full recovery.
  2. The company was fined for discharging toxic substances into the lake.
  3. He was honorably discharged after ten years of service.
  4. The soldier accidentally discharged his weapon.
  5. The pipe was leaking a foul-smelling discharge.
  6. The manager discharged his duties efficiently.
  7. Lightning is a form of natural electrical discharge.
  8. The prisoner’s discharge came after serving five years.
  9. The patient must rest after discharge from the hospital.
  10. The battery discharge rate affects its lifespan.
  • release
  • emit
  • expel
  • dismiss
  • let go
  • emit
  • eject

Antonym

  • retain
  • keep
  • absorb
  • detain