1. The distance or degree of movement from an original position or state
   "The sensor measures the displacement of the piston"
    
2. The act or state of being removed from one's native or established place
   "Their displacement led to a profound sense of loss and alienation";
   - deracination
    
3. Act of taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics
   "His displacement of his rival for the position caused resentment in the office";
   - supplanting
    
4. The act of uniform movement
   "The displacement of the building during the earthquake was minimal";
   - translation
    
5. Act of removing from office or employment
   "The company's restructuring led to the displacement of many long-term employees"; "His displacement from the board was a result of the shareholders' vote"
    
6. (chemistry) a reaction in which an elementary substance displaces and sets free a constituent element from a compound
   "The displacement reaction of zinc with hydrochloric acid produces hydrogen gas";
   - displacement reaction
    
7. (psychology) a defence mechanism where emotions or behaviors are redirected from their original target to a less threatening substitute
   "Taking out work frustrations on family members is an example of displacement"
    
8. (physics) the volume of fluid moved aside by a floating or immersed body
   "The ship's displacement was 50,000 tons"

Derived forms: displacements

Type of: chemical reaction, defence [Brit, Cdn], defence mechanism [Brit, Cdn], defence reaction [Brit, Cdn], defense [US], defense mechanism [US], defense reaction [US], motion, move, movement, reaction, rejection, replacement, replacing, translation

Encyclopedia: Displacement