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

Valdo was discharged on 13 June but Celeste said she felt it was "too early" but said she had "no power" to do anything else beyond agreeing with admissions to hospital.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Once discharged, they will be asked to self-isolate for up to 45 days.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

The lawyer asked: "Is that primarily why you discharged him?"

From BBC • May 5, 2026

That tanker absorbed the cargo on March 12, went dark itself, and ultimately discharged the oil at the Chinese port of Dongjiakou.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026

And Julia stood by her husband’s side during the 1850s, when he was discharged from the army and failed in a succession of businesses.

From "Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever" by Bill O'Reilly

Related Words

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