reliefre·lief /rɪˈliːf/ noun1[uncountableU] when a bad situation is reduced or stops for a timeAny sign of relief from price pressures will be welcome news for the economy.
2money, food, clothes etc given to people who are poor or hungrya relief fund for refugees
3American EnglishAmEFINANCE money given by the government to people who are poor, hungry, unemployed etcIn the future, the system simply won’t provide enough relief for low-income people.
rising relief spending as unemployment spreads
Farmers will receivefederal relief for crops damaged by drought.
4money or special tax arrangements etc given to countries or companies that owe money or have other problemsThe committee will petition the bankruptcy court for appropriate relief.
→ debt relief → double-income tax relief → mortgage relief → rate relief → taper relief → tax relief5[countableC]HUMAN RESOURCES a person or group of people that does the work of another one after they have finished or if they cannot work at a particular timeI’ve arranged for a relief to cover for me while I’m away.
His father and brother fill in as relief drivers.