First Known Use: 1549
Dictionary
displace
verb dis·place \(ˌ)dis-ˈplās, di-ˈsplās\
: to take the job or position of (someone or something)
: to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live
: to remove (someone) from a job or position
Full Definition of DISPLACE
transitive verb
1
a : 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
2
a : to move physically out of position <a floating object displaces water> b : to take the place of (as in a chemical reaction) : supplant
— dis·place·able \-ˈplā-sə-bəl\ adjective
See displace defined for English-language learners
See displace defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of DISPLACE
probably from Middle French desplacer, from des- dis- + place place
Related to DISPLACE
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with DISPLACE
abase, airspace, Alsace, ambsace, apace, backspace, best-case, biface, birthplace, blackface, boldface, bookcase, bootlace, braincase, briefcase, clubface, crankcase, cyclase, debase, deface, disgrace, dogface, doughface, efface, embrace, emplace, encase, enchase, enlace, erase, euclase, firebase, fireplace, footpace, footrace, foreface, freebase, gyrase, half-space, hard case, headspace, hydrase, Jerez, kinase, lactase, lightface, lipase, lyase, maltase, manes, millrace, milreis, misplace, mutase, notecase, null-space, nutcase, outface, outpace, outrace, paleface, postface, Quilmes, replace, scapegrace, shoelace, showcase, showplace, slipcase, smearcase, someplace, staircase, subbase, subspace, suitcase, tailrace, tenace, typeface, ukase, unbrace, unlace, watchcase, wheelbase, whey-face, whiteface, workplace, worst-case
DISPLACEABLE Defined for Kids
displace
verb dis·place \dis-ˈplās\
dis·placeddis·plac·ing
Definition of DISPLACE for Kids
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.>
— dis·place·ment \-mənt\ noun
Medical Dictionary
displace
transitive verb dis·place \(ˈ)dis-ˈplās\
dis·placeddis·plac·ing
Medical Definition of DISPLACE
1
a : 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
Learn More About DISPLACE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: displaced personPrevious Word in the Dictionary: dispiteousAll Words Near: displace
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up displace? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).