noun

displacement

diss-PLAYSS-munt

Displacement (noun) means the forced movement of people from their homes, especially by war, persecution, disaster or development. Example: “The floods caused the displacement of half a million people.”

noun

The forced movement of people from their homes, especially by war, persecution, disaster or development.

"The floods caused the displacement of half a million people."

"Rising rents have driven the quiet displacement of long-standing residents."

In physics, how far and in what direction an object has moved from its starting point, measured as a straight line rather than along the path travelled.

"She ran a full lap of the track, so her distance was 400 m but her displacement was zero."

"Plot displacement against time to get velocity."

The volume or weight of fluid pushed aside by an object floating or immersed in it, used to state the size of a ship or the capacity of an engine.

"The frigate has a displacement of 6,000 tonnes."

"A 2.0-litre engine displacement is typical for the class."

In psychology, the redirecting of a feeling from the person or thing that caused it onto a safer target.

"Snapping at the dog after a bad day at work is textbook displacement."

How to Use Displacement

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing pushed out of your place — or how far something has shifted from where it started.

When to use it

Neutral; the humanitarian and scientific senses are both standard.

Easily confused with

distance → dislocation → replacement →

Common pairings

forced displacement mass displacement displacement of water engine displacement displacement activity

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Can you complete this real example?

The floods caused the _____ of half a million people.

Etymology

From displace, itself from French desplacer, formed from des- 'away' and place.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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uprooting eviction expulsion dislocation

Antonyms

distance

Related Words

space ways distance length destruction removal elimination exclusion

Rhymes for displacement

cement element clement movement pavement tenement inclement abatement amusement statement agreement excrement

See all rhymes for displacement →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

Distance is the total length of the path travelled and is never negative. Displacement is the straight line from start to finish, with a direction attached, so a return journey gives a large distance but zero displacement.

What is engine displacement?

It is the total volume swept by all the pistons in one full cycle, quoted in litres or cubic centimetres. Larger displacement generally means more air and fuel per cycle, so more power, but also higher fuel use and, in many countries, higher tax.

What is the difference between a refugee and an internally displaced person?

A refugee has crossed an international border and gained protection under refugee law. An internally displaced person has been forced from home but remains inside their own country, so they stay under that government's jurisdiction and have fewer international protections.

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