released time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowFormal, Educational, Administrative
Quick answer
What does “released time” mean?
A period of time during which students are permitted to leave regular school hours for religious instruction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A period of time during which students are permitted to leave regular school hours for religious instruction.
Time granted to an employee, often during working hours, for personal development, volunteer work, or other approved activities outside their primary job duties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more established and historically significant in US education law and policy, referring specifically to religious education. In UK contexts, the term is understood but less common, often replaced by phrases like "time off for religious observance" or "volunteering leave."
Connotations
In the US, it carries legal and historical connotations from Supreme Court cases. In the UK, it is more neutral and purely administrative.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US educational and legal documents; lower frequency in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “released time” in a Sentence
[Institution] grants/offers/provides released time for [purpose].[Person/Group] participates in/takes released time.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “released time” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The school does not release time for such activities.
- They were released for two hours on Fridays.
American English
- The district releases time for religious instruction.
- Employees may be released for jury duty.
adverb
British English
- Students go released-time to the local church.
American English
- He participated released-time in the community project.
adjective
British English
- The released-time arrangements were reviewed by the governors.
- She attended a released-time class.
American English
- The released-time program complies with state guidelines.
- It's a released-time religious education course.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company's CSR policy includes two days of released time per year for volunteering.
Academic
The study examined the impact of released time programs on student religiosity.
Everyday
My son has released time on Wednesdays for catechism class.
Technical
The new HR directive standardizes the procedure for applying for professional development released time.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “released time”
- Using "free time" or "spare time" as synonyms (these imply leisure, not officially granted absence).
- Confusing it with "flexitime."
- Misspelling as "release time" (common but the standard compound is 'released time').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. An excused absence covers any approved reason for missing school/work. Released time is a specific, scheduled period *within* the school/work day officially allocated for a particular purpose (often religious or voluntary), and the participant is not considered absent.
In schools, the school board or headteacher. In businesses, it is authorized by Human Resources or management as part of official policy.
In an educational setting, it is not applicable. In employment, it depends on company policy; it can be paid (e.g., for volunteering) or unpaid (e.g., for extended personal development).
No, it is granted for specific, pre-approved purposes defined by the institution's policy, such as religious instruction, volunteer work, jury duty, or professional training.
A period of time during which students are permitted to leave regular school hours for religious instruction.
Released time is usually formal, educational, administrative in register.
Released time: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈliːst taɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈlist taɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On released time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RELEASED from regular school or work TIME for a special purpose.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE THAT CAN BE ALLOCATED OR FREED.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, 'released time' most closely refers to: