displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment (ˌ)dis-ˈplā-smənt 

di-ˈsplā-

1

: the act or process of displacing : the state of being displaced

a storm that caused the displacement of thousands of people

2

a

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

• expulsion
• deportation

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

From the enslaved people who built the foundations of our economy, to the immigrants who fueled its innovation, to Indigenous communities who have survived centuries of displacement, our nation has always been shaped by diversity, equity and inclusion. —Stacey Abrams, Essence, 4 July 2025

In an instant anyone living in or near an active fire zone can experience evacuations, displacement, loss of property, loss of life and health concerns. —Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025

Navigating the Chaos: The Challenges Facing Modern Organizations Today’s organizations face volatile political climates, shifting regulations, AI job displacement, and the ever-increasing demand for employee and consumer diversity and personalization. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman Two days before a potential Austin City Council vote on the issue, residents at risk of displacement from the Acacia Cliffs apartments in Northwest Austin delivered impassioned pleas to save their affordable housing and other properties facing similar fates. —Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

see displace

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for displacement

• abasement
• debasement
• defacement
• effacement
• emplacement
• encasement
• misplacement
• outplacement
• replacement
• basement
• placement

Kids Definition

displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment -ˈplā-smənt 

1

: the act of displacing : the state of being displaced

2

a

: the volume or weight of a fluid (as water) displaced by a floating body (as a ship) of equal weight

b

: the difference between the first position of an object and any later position

c

: the volume displaced by a piston (as in a pump or engine) in a single stroke

also : the total volume displaced in this way by all the pistons in an internal-combustion engine (as of an automobile)

Medical Definition

displacement

noun

dis·​place·​ment -ˈplā-smənt 

1

a

: 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

3

a

: 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