dislocate

American  

[dis-loh-keyt, dis-loh-keyt] / ˈdɪs loʊˌkeɪt, dɪsˈloʊ keɪt /

verb (used with object)

dislocated, dislocating

1. to put out of place; put out of proper relative position; displace.

   The glacier dislocated great stones. The earthquake dislocated several buildings.

2. to put out of joint or out of position, as a limb or an organ.

3. to throw out of order; upset; disorder.

   Frequent strikes dislocated the economy.

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noun

1. Gymnastics. a maneuver on the rings in which a gymnast in an inverted pike position turns over to swing down while pushing the arms out and turning them so that the palms are facing out when the body turns over.

dislocate British  

/ ˈdɪsləˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to disrupt or shift out of place or position

2. to displace (an organ or part) from its normal position, esp a bone from its joint

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Other Word Forms

• undislocated adjective

Etymology

Origin of dislocate

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin dislocātus (past participle of dislocāre ), equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + locātus placed; locate

Example Sentences

It was Olmo's first appearance for over a month, following a dislocated shoulder.

From Barron's

And last month, news that Queen's Park footballer Charles Fox waited nearly 10 hours for ambulance with a dislocated knee prompted an apology from Health Secretary Neil Gray.

From BBC

Wales captain Jac Morgan will miss the start of the 2026 Six Nations after dislocating his shoulder in the autumn series opener against Argentina at the start of November.

From BBC

I think Ma noticed because she tried to get me to wear the dashiki on one of our dress-down days during the last few weeks of school … but honestly, I would rather dislocate a shoulder.

From Literature

Wales were without injured inspirational skipper Jac Morgan who dislocated his shoulder against Argentina.

From BBC