displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment (ˌ)dis-ˈplā-smənt How to pronounce displacement (audio)
di-ˈsplā-
1
: the act or process of displacing : the state of being displaced
a storm that caused the displacement of thousands of people
2
a
physics : the volume or weight of a fluid (such as water) displaced (see displace sense 2a) by a floating body (such as a ship) of equal weight
b
: the difference between the initial position of something (such as a body or geometric figure) and any later position
c
mechanical engineering : the volume displaced by a piston (as in a pump or an engine) in a single stroke
also, automotive vehicles : the total volume so displaced by all the pistons in an internal combustion engine
3
psychology
a
: the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its original object (such as an idea or person) to another
the displacement of his emotions
b
: the substitution of another form of behavior for what is usual or expected especially when the usual response is nonadaptive or socially inappropriate

called also displacement activity, displacement behavior

Examples of displacement in a Sentence

The war has caused the displacement of thousands of people. displacements in the Earth's crust soil displacement caused by farming
Recent Examples on the Web Israel’s campaign has killed more than 31,000 people in Gaza, more than 70% of whom are women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry, causing widescale destruction, mass displacement and a looming famine. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 The building of the concentration camp complex involved the massive displacement of the local Polish population. Livia Paccariè, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Mar. 2024 In a single hand, humans can easily hold and manipulate objects, even small and delicate ones, while adjusting our fingers to their shape and reorienting them with displacements of our fingertip pads. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 In his State of the Union address, Mr. Biden acknowledged the high death toll and the displacement of another 2 million civilians, his most extensive remarks to date on the loss of Palestinian life. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Despite this displacement, the show has performed phenomenally well around the world, racking up 21 million viewers in its opening weekend, higher than even One Piece, which was quickly renewed for a second season. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 For months, amid the wholesale destruction of urban areas, mass displacement and mounting hunger, aid groups and humanitarian officials had warned that Gazan society was nearing collapse. Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 But San Jose’s focus on preventing displacement makes its proposal unique. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the nation's children are feeling the overwhelming stress of displacement and life under the constant threat of attack. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'displacement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see displace

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of displacement was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near displacement

Cite this Entry

“Displacement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/displacement. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

displacement

noun
dis·​place·​ment -ˈplā-smənt How to pronounce displacement (audio)
1
: the act of displacing : the state of being displaced
2
a
: the volume or weight of a fluid (as water) displaced by a floating body (as a ship) of equal weight
b
: the difference between the first position of an object and any later position
c
: the volume displaced by a piston (as in a pump or engine) in a single stroke
also : the total volume displaced in this way by all the pistons in an internal-combustion engine (as of an automobile)

Medical Definition

displacement

noun
dis·​place·​ment -ˈplā-smənt How to pronounce displacement (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of removing something from its usual or proper place or the state resulting from this : dislocation
the displacement of a knee joint
2
: the quantity in which or the degree to which something is displaced
3
a
: the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its original object (as an idea or person) to something that is more acceptable
c
: the substitution of another form of behavior for what is usual or expected especially when the usual response is nonadaptive

called also displacement activity, displacement behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on displacement

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