discharge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discharge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to releasing someone from a duty, obligation, or medical care, among others. Example: "The doctor decided to discharge the patient after confirming that their condition had stabilized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Routine elective operations were being rescheduled and a drive was under way to discharge as many patients as possible where it was safe to do so.

The Guardian

"This has resulted in a slight impact on waiting times, but we continue to admit, treat and discharge more than nine out of 10 patients within four hours".

The Guardian

During such times, Nick says, the short-stay wing can admit and discharge enough patients to fill each bed two or three times a day.

The Guardian

At the moment, I have five nurses training to become emergency nurse practitioners - which means they can examine, treat and discharge minor injuries from A&E without a doctor having to see the patient.

The Guardian

The EPA will impose on the company a pollution reduction program which could include upgrades to the mine's water treatment facilities and management of the mine water discharge, including tighter limits for nickel and zinc, for example.

The Guardian

The 21-year-old singer, who appeared at the hearing via video link from Los Angeles, received an absolute discharge on the assault charge and a C$750 £3900) fine for the careless driving charge.

The Guardian - Music

Bieber's lawyer, Brian Greenspan, said the absolute discharge for the assault "recognised the fact that it was an incident that was somewhat provoked and that it lasted less than a minute".

The Guardian - Music

NHS England said 91.6% of patients spent four hours or less from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in the week ending 15 February, down from 92.9% the previous week.

The Guardian

"We are, however, facing an unprecedented demand at the front end and have declared today a major incident, which means a whole-hospital review of demand, capacity, staffing levels and discharge processes and other opportunities for improvement.We have established a control centre under the command of the chief operating officer".

The Guardian

According to NHS England, one in five hospital beds was occupied over the Christmas period by someone ready for discharge but unable to move on because of blockages in the system.

The Guardian

Figures released by NHS England on Monday show that 88.4% spent four hours or less from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge in the week ending 5 April.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, clearly specify the conditions or terms of a "discharge", whether it is conditional or absolute.

Common error

Avoid using "discharge" interchangeably with "dismiss" in professional settings. "Discharge" often implies the completion of a duty or obligation, while "dismiss" suggests termination or removal. Use them precisely to avoid miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The word "discharge" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it signifies releasing, fulfilling, or emitting. As a noun, it refers to the act of releasing or the substance released. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "discharge" is a versatile word with multiple meanings, functioning as both a verb and a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. As exemplified by numerous examples, it commonly appears in medical, legal, and environmental contexts, indicating release, fulfillment, or emission. While its register is generally neutral, it is important to choose the right alternative, such as "release" or "dismiss", based on the specific context to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

release

Implies setting free or allowing to leave, often used in medical or legal contexts.

acquit

Means to clear someone of blame or charges.

exonerate

Suggests clearing someone from guilt or responsibility.

absolve

Means to free from guilt or responsibility.

dismiss

Suggests terminating employment or service.

expel

Indicates forcing someone or something out.

fulfill

Implies completing a duty or obligation.

emit

Refers to sending out or giving off something, like light or gas.

carry out

Refers to executing or performing a task.

unload

Implies removing cargo or contents.

FAQs

How can I use "discharge" in a sentence?

You can use "discharge" to describe releasing a patient from a hospital, such as: "The doctor decided to "discharge" the patient after a week of observation." It can also mean to fulfill a duty, like: "He worked hard to "discharge" his responsibilities."

What is a good alternative to "discharge" in a medical context?

In a medical context, you can use alternatives like "release" or "send home". For example, instead of "The patient was discharged", you could say "The patient was released from the hospital".

What's the difference between "discharge" and "dismiss"?

"Discharge" often refers to releasing someone from a duty or obligation, or allowing a patient to leave a hospital. "Dismiss", on the other hand, typically means to terminate employment or to reject something. Understanding the context helps in choosing the right word.

Is it correct to use "discharge" when talking about waste?

Yes, "discharge" can refer to the release of waste or other substances. For instance, "The factory was fined for illegally "discharging" pollutants into the river." In this context, it implies the act of emitting or releasing something, often with environmental implications.