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

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

The younger Barranco said Sunday that his father was pepper sprayed and beaten, and that his shoulder was dislocated.

From Los Angeles Times

He had 1,142 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, then broke his tibia and fibula, tore ligaments in his foot and dislocated his ankle all on one play when tackled.

From Los Angeles Times

"When I saw her again, I thought: 'Oh, help.' She dislocated my finger with one of her cover drives. She hit it so hard, even then."

From BBC

The 25-year-old also suffered lung contusions, a dislocated right clavicle and several torn ligaments after colliding with the open door of a postal vehicle.

From BBC