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 of dislocation

• disruption
• disturbance

Examples of dislocation in a Sentence

the slightest dislocation in her daily routine bothered the elderly woman

Recent Examples on the Web

That sense of alienation and dislocation intensified after the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. —Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026

San José, the Costa Rican capital, in all its throughways and recreation spots, transforms into an emotional terrain through which all the existential torpor and dislocation reverberate. —Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 16 May 2026

The selloff has also created dislocations further down the market cap spectrum. —Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Instead, the emotional dislocation, technological dread and fractured identity woven into Radiohead’s turn-of-the-century pivot now seem scarily prophetic. —Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dislocation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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