dislocation

noun

dis·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌdis-(ˌ)lō-ˈkā-shən 

-lə-

: the act of dislocating : the state of being dislocated: such as

a

: displacement of one or more bones at a joint : luxation

b

: a discontinuity in the otherwise normal lattice structure of a crystal

c

: disruption of an established order

Synonyms

• derangement
• disruption
• disturbance
• upset

Examples of dislocation in a Sentence

the slightest dislocation in her daily routine bothered the elderly woman

Recent Examples on the Web

Somebody Somewhere is tiny: a gorgeous, introspective, intimate story about a woman with devastatingly mundane problems whose chief obstacle is her own aching sense of grief and dislocation. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024

Dollar hyperinflation would create chaos and dislocation across the entire global economy. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

The figures Abrahamian profiles frequently mirror her own preference for dislocation. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024

Prescott only played in five games that season before suffering a season-ending compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle against the Giants in Week 5. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dislocation

noun

dis·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌdis-(ˌ)lō-ˈkā-shən 

: the act of dislocating : the state of being dislocated

especially : displacement of one or more bones at a joint

Medical Definition

dislocation

noun

dis·​lo·​ca·​tion ˌdis-(ˌ)lō-ˈkā-shən, -lə- 

: displacement of one or more bones at a joint : luxation