26984 words

freeing

5 definitions • 7 examples
1
present participle of
2
to allow someone to leave a prison or place where they have been kept:

Examples:

After a ten-hour siege the gunman agreed to free the hostages.
free someone/something from something Anti-vivisectionists last night freed a number of animals from a laboratory.
3
to move or make loose someone or something that is caught or held somewhere:

Examples:

Both men were freed from the wreckage after a four-hour operation.
In vain he tried to free the rope around his hands.
4
to remove the limits or controls on someone or something:

Examples:

free someone to do something Her retirement from politics will free her (= provide her with enough time) to write her memoirs.
5
to make something available for someone to use:

Examples:

They planned to extend the car park, freeing existing parking spaces for visitors.
free something up Can you cancel my meetings – I need to free up the afternoon to write this report.

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