discharged

American  

[dis-chahrjd, dis-chahrjd] / ˈdɪs tʃɑrdʒd, dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd /

adjective

1. released, sent away, or allowed to leave.

   In hospitals nationwide during that period, 20 percent of all discharged patients over 65 had congestive heart failure as a primary or secondary diagnosis.

2. relieved or deprived of office or employment; dismissed from service.

   Our next speaker is an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

3. Electricity. (of a battery, capacitor, etc.) emptied of a charge of electricity.

   This unit will recharge a fully discharged battery in 3.5 hours.

4. (of a firearm or missile) fired or shot.

   Gunshot residue can be deposited on clothing close to the discharged firearm.

5. poured forth or spilled out; emitted.

   Open each faucet and run the water until a distinct odor of chlorine can be detected in the discharged water.

6. Law.

   1. (of a defendant, especially one under confinement) allowed to go free; released.

      Under this law, conditions may be imposed that restrict a discharged defendant’s freedom of movement.

   2. (of a person declared bankrupt) released from debts.

      If I am a discharged bankrupt, will I still be able to get a mortgage?

   3. (of a contract, debt, or other obligation) canceled.

      Creditors can’t come after you to repay a discharged debt, since you’re no longer legally responsible for it.

7. emptied or relieved of its cargo.

   On the land side, a truck picks up containers from the discharged vessel or from the storage area.

8. (of cargo) removed or unloaded.

   Each discharged keg is weighed to ensure that it contains the correct quantity of beer before warehousing.

9. (of a duty, function, etc.) fulfilled, performed, or executed.

   There is no better example of faithfully discharged duty and courtesy of manner than the late Dr. Redford.

10. (of a committee in a legislative body) ordered to cease further consideration of a bill so that it can be voted on.

    Let the debate be closed by the one who proposed the bill, rather than by the chairman of the discharged committee.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of discharge.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undischarged
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of discharged

First recorded in 1375–1425; 1790–1800 discharged for def. 3; discharge ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; discharge ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

"Russian air defences prevented any damage. The condition of the three injured is assessed as minor and they have been discharged," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

When insurers rejected those prices, the company discharged patients and pressured parents to appeal the insurers’ decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Conventional desalination produces liquid brine that must be treated, disposed of, or discharged into the environment.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

The jurors had been advised they could reach a majority verdict but were discharged after failing to do so.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Another Blast, then — & though I am sure it was but one or two Muskets discharged upon us, it sounded as a Volley of a Thousand.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• fired
• freed
• laid-off
• released
• sacked