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press release

press release

94 2.5
An official message sent to the news media to give information
  • noun
  • /prɛs rɪˈliːs/
  • Literature
translation icon : comunicado de prensa
  • The company issued a press release to announce their new product launch.
  • issue a press release
  • news and press releases
  • post a press release

We put out a press release and the press release has an image, my image on it.

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Examples

  • The Salvation Army Community Relations Director sent out a press release and posted information on the organization's Facebook page.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Government agencies, major universities, and large companies post their press releases on their own websites.

    Academic text (2008)
  • What year did that press release come out?

  • I got those with a press release about six years ago.

  • And in their press release, this is what they say.

  • We put out a press release and the press release has an image, my image on it.

  • We'll talk and then work on a press release.

  • What about the press release?

  • Some sites allow you to sign up to receive press releases by email.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Additionally, keep a steady stream of press releases coming toward local newspapers, TV, and radio.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

announcement
vspress release
738 1.5

A public statement that gives important information

is issued to the media specifically to inform or make a public statement
release
vspress release
590 2.9

An announcement, product, or statement made available to the public

is aimed at the media to provide information rather than general public availability
declaration
vspress release
  • Formal
150 3.7

A formal public statement made by a person or agreed by a group

is issued to media to inform rather than to record group agreement
notice
vspress release
126 1.0

A written message giving information to people

is sent to media outlets to inform a wider public rather than local signs
proclamation
vspress release
  • Formal
59 5.5

An official public announcement by a government or leader that tells people something important

is used to inform media rather than to declare an authoritative act
pronouncement
vspress release
  • Formal
34 7.2

A statement that a person in power announces to the public

is more about informing media than asserting authority or judgment
communique
vspress release
  • Formal
17 7.3

An official statement from a government or organization to the public

is used by any organization for routine media information rather than formal reports
handout
vspress release
  • Literature
7 3.2

A printed statement journalists receive at a press event to provide official information

is aimed at informing the media widely rather than supporting a speech

How Official

proclamation
  • Formal
59 5.5
press release
  • Literature
94 2.5
statement
  • Formal
1.3
memo
341 1.8
note
1.0

Surface Forms

press release singular

Morphology

press + release

The meaning 'an official announcement given to the media' is directly derivable from combining 'press' (the media/journalists) with 'release' (an announcement/publication). This compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common (e.g., comunicado de prensa, communiqué de presse) and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The compound noun press release comes from the world of newspapers: press was the printing machine or the people who worked for newspapers, and release meant 'to send out'. So a press release was a message sent to newspapers and now means 'an official announcement' given 'to the media'.