displace

verb dis·place \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplās , di-ˈsplās \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: displace in a Sentence

Definition of displace

transitive verb

1 a : to remove from the usual or proper place; specifically : to expel or force to flee from home or homeland

displaced persons

b : to remove from an office, status, or job

c obsolete : to drive out : banish

2 a : to move physically out of position

a floating object displaces water

b : to take the place of (as in a chemical reaction) : supplant

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displaceable

play \-ˈplā-sə-bəl\ adjective

See displace defined for English-language learners

See displace defined for kids

Examples of displace in a Sentence

The war has displaced thousands of people.
The hurricane displaced most of the town's residents.
The closing of the factory has displaced many workers.
farming practices that displace large amounts of soil

Recent Examples of displace from the Web

Trading for a third baseman would displace Franco, who has drawn interest from the Padres, according to a recent report from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "Phillies' Maikel Franco making a play to stay | Extra Innings," 12 July 2018
One person in a car was treated for minor injuries, city firefighters said, and 20 residents were displaced.

— CBS News, "Wall of dust, powerful monsoon storms slam Phoenix area," 10 July 2018
In both cases the water moves out of the way, or is displaced, to make space for the object.

— svenja lohner, Scientific American, "Floating with a Swim Bladder," 5 July 2018
After four years, displaced workers are still about 6 percent behind their peers in terms of annual earnings.

— andrew van dam, chicagotribune.com, "Is it great to be a worker in the U.S.? Not compared with the rest of the developed world.," 5 July 2018
Closed borders Fighting in Deraa and Quneitra, two provinces in south-west Syria, has displaced at least 270,000 people, according to the UN.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 5 July 2018
After four years, displaced workers are still about 6 percent behind their peers in terms of annual earnings.

— andrew van dam, BostonGlobe.com, "Limited unionization and government aid hold back US workers, study says," 4 July 2018
Luis DeRosa, president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce in Miami that has been working to assist displaced families in the region, said FEMA was making a mistake by cutting off hotel aid.

— aaron leibowitz, miamiherald, "Displaced Puerto Ricans can fly home or stay in Florida with no FEMA housing. They're staying.," 30 June 2018
Construction north and south of Market Street displaced a plaque commemorating the final concert performance by Elvis Presley.

— david lindquist, Indianapolis Star, "Elvis Presley plaque is coming back to Indianapolis on 41st anniversary of final concert," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'displace.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of displace

probably from Middle French desplacer, from des- dis- + place place

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1549

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

displace Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of displace

replace, displace, supplant, supersede mean to put out of a usual or proper place or into the place of another. replace implies a filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate.

- replaced the broken window

displace implies an ousting or dislodging.

- war had displaced thousands

supplant implies either a dispossessing or usurping of another's place, possessions, or privileges or an uprooting of something and its replacement with something else.

- was abruptly supplanted in her affections by another

supersede implies replacing a person or thing that has become superannuated, obsolete, or otherwise inferior.

- the new edition supersedes all previous ones

DISPLACE Defined for English Language Learners

displace

verb

Definition of displace for English Language Learners

: to take the job or position of (someone or something)
: to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live
: to remove (someone) from a job or position

DISPLACE Defined for Kids

displace

verb dis·place \ dis-ˈplās \

Definition of displace for Students

displaced; displacing

1 : to remove from the usual or proper place

The fire displaced many forest animals.

2 : to take the place of : replace

Chess displaced checkers as his favorite game.

3 : to move out of position

A floating object displaces water.

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displacement

\-mənt\ noun

Medical Dictionary

displace

transitive verb dis·place \ (ˈ)dis-ˈplās \

medical Definition of displace

displaced; displacing

1 a : to remove from the usual or proper place

in heterotopia the gray portions of the cord are displaced so that patches of gray matter are scattered among the bundles of white fibers
—R. L. Cecil et al

b : to shift (an emotion or behavior) from a maladaptive or unacceptable object or form of outlet to a more adaptive or acceptable one