dislocate

verb

dis·​lo·​cate ˈdis-lō-ˌkāt 

-lə-;

(ˌ)dis-ˈlō- 

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

Synonyms

• relocate
• move
• remove
• transfer
• shift
• disturb

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

It was reported that Hill dislocated his knee, and tore multiple ligaments including his ACL, putting him out for the rest of the season. —Hunter Simpson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

This is the worst possible scenario after Hill dislocated his left knee during the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 27-21 win over the New York Jets. —Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed after the Dolphins 27-21 win that Hill dislocated his knee. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

This could include fixing any fractures, moving bones that are dislocated back into place or repairing torn ligaments. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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

Kids Definition

dislocate

verb

dis·​lo·​cate ˈdis-lō-ˌkāt 

(ˈ)dis-ˈlō-

1

: to put out of place

especially : to displace (a bone) from normal connections with another bone

2

: disrupt

Medical Definition

dislocate

transitive verb

dis·​lo·​cate ˈdis-lō-ˌkāt  -lə-; (ˈ)dis-ˈlō-ˌkāt 

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