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

Explanation

To dislocate is to move something out of its correct or regular place, or disrupt it. When a family moves to a new town, it dislocates the kids, and if you throw a bowling ball, you might dislocate your shoulder. A hurricane can dislocate boats, beach homes, and sea creatures, and a football injury can also dislocate your shoulder — moving the bone out of the joint in which it normally sits. It's painful to dislocate a bone, and it can be painful in a different way when circumstances dislocate your life. The Latin root is dislocare, "put out of place," from dis-, "away," and locare, "to place."

Example Sentences

"I'm not going to say he's out, but I think it'd be doubtful if you dislocate your shoulder," Italy coach John Davison told reporters.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

"I tripped over a step in the garden and managed to, somehow, dislocate my ankle; break my tibia and fibula; and rip two ligaments off the bone. What the heck," said Archibald.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2024

It would destroy the economy, dislocate millions of Americans and destabilize the globe.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2023

Will giving birth be a beautiful if intense experience or will you hemorrhage, dislocate your pelvis or require an emergency C-section?

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2022

The jolt might’ve been enough to dislocate her bad shoulder.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan