Definition Definition

relief - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'relief' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Relief [ n.]
- The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal, or partial removal, of any evil, or of anything oppressive or burdensome, by which some ease is obtained; succor; alleviation; comfort; ease; redress.
- Release from a post, or from the performance of duty, by the intervention of others, by discharge, or by relay; as, a relief of a sentry.
- That which removes or lessens evil, pain, discomfort, uneasiness, etc.; that which gives succor, aid, or comfort; also, the person who relieves from performance of duty by taking the place of another; a relay.
- A fine or composition which the heir of a deceased tenant paid to the lord for the privilege of taking up the estate, which, on strict feudal principles, had lapsed or fallen to the lord on the death of the tenant.
- The projection of a figure above the ground or plane on which it is formed.
- The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.
- The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch.
- The elevations and surface undulations of a country.

Meaning of 'relief' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . relief [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
Example in sentence:
  • as he heard the news he was suddenly flooded with relief
Meaning (2):
- the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially after being relieved of distress)
Example in sentence:
  • getting it off his conscience gave him some ease;
  • he enjoyed his relief from responsibility
Meaning (3):
- the act of freeing a city or town that has been besieged
Example in sentence:
  • he asked for troops for the relief of Atlanta
Meaning (4):
- the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance)
Example in sentence:
  • he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain
Meaning (5):
- aid for the aged or indigent or handicapped
Example in sentence:
  • he has been on relief for many years
Meaning (6):
- a pause for relaxation
Example in sentence:
  • people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests
Meaning (7):
- assistance in time of difficulty
Example in sentence:
  • the contributions provided some relief for the victims
Meaning (8):
- someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
Example in sentence:
  • the star had a stand-in for dangerous scenes;
  • we need extra employees for summer fill-ins
Meaning (9):
- (law) redress awarded by a court
Example in sentence:
  • was the relief supposed to be protection from future harm or compensation for past injury?