displace

verb

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dis·place | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplās

, di-ˈsplās \

displaced; displacing; displaces

Definition of displace

transitive verb

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

c obsolete : to drive out : banish

2a : to move physically out of position a floating object displaces water

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

Other Words from displace Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about displace

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web China is taking steps to displace U.S. Treasurys as the world’s most important and reliable asset. — Kevin Warsh, WSJ, "Beijing’s Bid for Financial Supremacy," 4 Jan. 2021 Point Park eventually will displace Sandlot, a popular, but temporary waterfront bar and restaurant, which still plans to open for the 2021 spring season. — Hallie Miller, baltimoresun.com, "Designs for T. Rowe Price, other parcels in Harbor Point show mix of amenities, green space," 10 Dec. 2020 Yes, that energy can be produced by the sun, but for the foreseeable future the best use of new solar panels and wind turbines is to displace existing uses, not underwrite new ones. — Bill Mckibben, The New Yorker, "Can Green Energy Power the Cannabis Boom?," 28 Jan. 2021 None of these high-rises will displace the city’s top two skyscrapers in terms of height. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "It’s high time for Salt Lake City. Here’s how the skyline will rise in 2021.," 17 Jan. 2021 The project will not permanently displace any residents. — Michael Hamad, courant.com, "As House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz retires, State Bond Commission approves $2.77M for field improvements in Berlin, where he lives and coaches," 18 Dec. 2020 Biden's administration plans to allot more time for public input on some projects that displace communities, Hirschfeld writes. — Jay R. Jordan, Chron, "How the Biden administration could hinder I-45's expansion," 15 Jan. 2021 Understanding which children are frequent users of online technologies is important because such use may displace developmentally appropriate activities including physical activity, sleep and independent book reading. — Paul L. Morgan, The Conversation, "Some kindergartners are more likely to be heavy users of online tech later, according to new research," 12 Jan. 2021 With companies leaving California in droves (most recently Oracle and Hewlett-Packard), Suarez believes that reaching out to the business community will position Miami to displace the West Coast tech hubs. — Daniel Tenreiro, National Review, "Escape from Silicon Valley," 28 Dec. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

27 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Displace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/displace. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for displace

displace

verb

English 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

verb

dis·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 verb

dis·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

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