displacement

noun

dis·place·ment | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈplā-smənt

, di-ˈsplā- \

Definition of displacement

1 : the act or process of displacing : the state of being displaced a storm that caused the displacement of thousands of people

2a physics : the volume or weight of a fluid (such as water) displaced (see displace sense 2a) by a floating body (such as a ship) of equal weight

b : the difference between the initial position of something (such as a body or geometric figure) and any later position

c mechanical engineering : the volume displaced by a piston (as in a pump or an engine) in a single stroke also, automotive vehicles : the total volume so displaced by all the pistons in an internal combustion engine

3 psychology

a : the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its original object (such as an idea or person) to another the displacement of his emotions

b : the substitution of another form of behavior for what is usual or expected especially when the usual response is nonadaptive or socially inappropriate

— called also displacement activity, displacement behavior

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About displacement

Examples of displacement in a Sentence

The war has caused the displacement of thousands of people. displacements in the Earth's crust soil displacement caused by farming

Recent Examples on the Web Reports show tourism is picking back up in remote villages, and farmers who’ve faced frequent displacement are finally returning to their fields. — Haziq Qadri, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 May 2022 In some countries, the fallout from the war in Ukraine is only adding to the woes of those already suffering from turmoil, displacement or poverty. — Mariam Fam, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2022 Using data from King George Island’s research stations, as well as stations from the global satellite navigation system, the researchers were able to measure the ground displacement. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 2 May 2022 But recently, the U.S. refugee program has failed to respond to displacement crises, and U.S. admissions of refugees have reached historic lows. — Camilo Montoya-galvez, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2022 The humanitarian crisis and mass displacement will continue to grow so long as the war continues, Mantoo warned, calling for $1.85 billion in financial support so the agency and its partners can help support refugees and affected countries. — Robert Hart, Forbes, 26 Apr. 2022 The city is delivering an unprecedented amount of funding to boost affordable housing through federal coronavirus dollars, delivering money for four affordable housing projects as part of a broader shift to focus on housing and combat displacement. — The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2022 Jones says this displacement may be exacerbated by the pandemic. — Justin Raystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2022 Some $22 billion of those dollars remain unspent, and could theoretically be used to help people facing possible displacement from spikes in rent, some experts say. — Abby Vesoulis, Time, 25 Apr. 2022 See More

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

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displaced speech

displacement

displacement angle

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Last Updated

11 May 2022

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“Displacement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/displacement. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for displacement

displacement

noun

dis·place·ment | \ -ˈplā-smənt

Medical Definition of displacement

1a : the act or process of removing something from its usual or proper place or the state resulting from this : dislocation the displacement of a knee joint

b : percolation sense 3

2 : the quantity in which or the degree to which something is displaced

3a : the redirection of an emotion or impulse from its original object (as an idea or person) to something that is more acceptable

b : sublimation sense 2

c : the substitution of another form of behavior for what is usual or expected especially when the usual response is nonadaptive

— called also displacement activity, displacement behavior