displacement
displacement Lexical Profile
displacement Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The forced movement of people from their home, locality, or country, often due to natural disasters, economic development, or conflict.
"Severe flooding across the river valley led to the temporary displacement of thousands of residents."
The action of moving something from its usual or proper place or position, or the state of being moved.
"The sudden displacement of the tectonic plates triggered a powerful earthquake along the coast."
In physics, the vector quantity measuring the shortest distance and direction from an object's initial position to its final position, or the volume or weight of fluid moved aside by a floating or submerged body.
"Engineers calculated the vessel's water displacement to ensure it could safely navigate the shallow canal."
In psychology, an unconscious defense mechanism whereby emotions, impulses, or desires are redirected from their original object to a safer or more acceptable substitute.
"Slamming his office door after a frustrating meeting was a classic example of emotional displacement."
• Rhymes for displacement
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Middle French déplacement, from déplacer ('to move from its place'), combining the prefix dé- ('away') with place and the noun-forming suffix -ment.