displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment (ˌ)dis-ˈplā-smənt 

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

Synonyms

• banishment
• deportation
• exile
• expatriation
• expulsion
• relegation

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

Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Interestingly, while earlier studies flagged workforce displacement as a major concern for employees, more recent surveys suggest this fear is diminishing. —Chris Westfall, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Unexpected warm spells, seed displacement from flooding, and other environmental factors can lead to failures. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024

During those years, its V-8 engine grew in displacement from 429 cubic inches to 472 cubic inches to 500 cubic inches, all mated to a three-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024

Assad's reign, and the brutal civil war that began in 2011, sent more than 6 million people to seek refuge in other countries, in one of the world's largest displacement crises, according to United Nations figures. —Rob Schmitz, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see displace

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment -ˈplā-smənt 

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 

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

b

: percolation sense 3

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

b

: sublimation sense 2

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