To save this word, you'll need to log in.
dis·place | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplās 
, di-ˈsplās \
, di-ˈsplās \displaced; displacing; displaces
Definition of displace
1a : 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
2a : to move physically out of position
a floating object displaces water
b : to take the place of (as in a chemical reaction) : supplant
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from displace
displaceable \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplā-sə-bəl , di-ˈsplā- \ adjective
, di-ˈsplā- \ adjective
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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web These women came together in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy to cook meals for their families and neighbours who had been displaced from the fire.
—
Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Post on Social Media for the First Time Since Their Resignation," 10 Jan. 2020 Refugees, people who are displaced, immigration, race issues, poverty issues, drug addiction, the prison system.
—
Condé Nast Traveler, "How I Became a Photojournalist: Lynsey Addario on Life on the Road," 7 Jan. 2020 The zoo's hospital has treated more than 90,000 animals, many of which had been displaced or injured by the wildfires.
—
Emma Austin, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Down Under donating proceeds to help Australia Zoo rescue animals from wildfires," 7 Jan. 2020 The local relief group has also said that more than 8,000 families were displaced after violence erupted in the region.
—
Washington Post, "Sudanese military plane crashes in west Darfour, 16 killed," 3 Jan. 2020 Before the ground offensive began last Thursday, the United Nation reported that some 60,000 Idlib residents had already been displaced since the government’s bombing campaign began late last month.
—
BostonGlobe.com, "The Syrian Response Coordination Group, a relief group active in northwestern Syria, said 216,632 people have fled their homes, many of them with no specific place to go. Many have been heading toward the Turkish border for safety.," 26 Dec. 2019 Eleven people were displaced from a single-family home in Clackamas on Christmas Day when a fire that started in the basement worked its way up into the attic, said Tammy Owen, a Clackamas Fire District 1 spokeswoman.
—
oregonlive, "Clackamas house fire displaces 11 people, no injuries," 26 Dec. 2019 Before the ground offensive began last Thursday, the U.N. reported that some 60,000 Idlib residents had already been displaced since the government's bombing campaign began late last month.
—
Arkansas Online, "Relief group says over 200,000 people flee fighting in Syria," 25 Dec. 2019 The apartment building is uninhabitable and all residents have been displaced, the sheriff’s office said.
—
Tom Mcghee, The Denver Post, "Jefferson County arson suspect being held on 47 criminal charges, including attempted first-degree murder," 23 Dec. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for displace
displace
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of displace
: to take the job or position of (someone or something)
: to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live
chiefly US : to remove (someone) from a job or position
See the full definition for displace in the English Language Learners Dictionary
displace
verbdis·place | \ dis-ˈplās \
\displaced; displacing
Kids Definition of displace
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.
displace
transitive verbdis·place | \ (ˈ)dis-ˈplās \
\displaced; displacing
Medical Definition of displace
1a : 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
displace punishable behavior by directing it towards things that cannot punish— B. F. Skinner
2 : to set free from chemical combination by taking the place of
zinc displaces the hydrogen of dilute acids
3 : to subject to percolation
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on displace
What made you want to look up displace? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
The Eponym Quiz
- Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
- The Eponym Quiz
Do you know these words that come from names?
Take the quiz - Liar, Liar Quiz
Test your knowledge of words for lies, liars, and those being lied to. In other words, everyone.
Take the quiz - Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz - Citation
Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?
Play the game
Share displace
Time Traveler for displace
The first known use of displace was in 1549
See more words from the same year