dislocate

verb

dis·​lo·​cate ˈdis-lō-ˌkāt How to pronounce dislocate (audio)
-lə-;
(ˌ)dis-ˈlō- How to pronounce dislocate (audio)
dislocated; dislocating; dislocates

transitive verb

1
: to put out of place
specifically : to displace (a bone) from normal connections with another bone
2
: to force a change in the usual status, relationship, or order of : disrupt

Examples of dislocate in a Sentence

She fell and dislocated her shoulder. The new hotel will dislocate several businesses. Thousands of workers have been dislocated by the latest economic crisis.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Godwin dislocated his ankle in a loss to the Ravens just seven weeks into the season and was on track for yet another stellar season. Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025 Finally, Nick Madrigal, the utilityman the Mets brought in to provide versatility for Mendoza’s lineups, will miss the entire 2025 season after dislocating and fracturing his left shoulder. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025 The winger was on pace for a career year (five goals, four assists) before breaking and dislocating his elbow while scoring a goal midway through 2024. Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025 Literally, our one sort of brute strength person had his whole shoulder dislocated on the first day. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dislocate

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin dislocatus, past participle of dislocare, from Latin dis- + locare to locate

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dislocate was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dislocate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dislocate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

dislocate

verb
dis·​lo·​cate ˈdis-lō-ˌkāt How to pronounce dislocate (audio)
(ˈ)dis-ˈlō-
1
: to put out of place
especially : to displace (a bone) from normal connections with another bone
2

Medical Definition

dislocate

transitive verb
dislocated; dislocating
: to put (a body part) out of order by displacing a bone from its normal connections with another bone
he dislocated his shoulder
also : to displace (a bone) from normal connections with another bone
the humerus was dislocated in the fall

More from Merriam-Webster on dislocate

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