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

• 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

Last week, a second jury was discharged after deliberating for nearly 20 hours following a five-week trial.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Event organisers said six other spectators and the motorbike racer had now been discharged from hospital.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Unlike federal loans, borrowers can’t get them discharged via special repayment programs.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

After being discharged from hospital, she continued to have speech language therapy at home.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

If the magistrate decided there was insufficient evidence, the defendants were discharged.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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