dislocation

American  

[dis-loh-key-shuhn] / ˌdɪs loʊˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of dislocating.

2. the state of being dislocated.

3. Crystallography. (in a crystal lattice) a line about which there is a discontinuity in the lattice structure.

---

dislocation British  

/ ˌdɪsləˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of displacing or the state of being displaced; disruption

2. (esp of the bones in a joint) the state or condition of being dislocated

3. a line, plane, or region in which there is a discontinuity in the regularity of a crystal lattice

4. geology a less common word for fault

---

Etymology

Origin of dislocation

1350–1400; Middle English dislocacioun; dislocate, -ion

Compare meaning

How does dislocation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• subluxation vs. dislocation

Example Sentences

Psychological trauma, social fragmentation, and economic dislocation are persistent scars that can span generations.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

The dislocation in the market for liquefied natural gas—the backbone of Europe and Asia’s electricity and heating supplies—has the potential to be even worse.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

Neither theory, history nor the latest data suggest that AI job dislocation is likely to cause a recession, writes Greg Ip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Neither theory, history nor the latest data suggests a recession driven by AI job dislocation is likely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

For instance, heroes—superheroes—were born of ridiculous and unlikely circumstances: spider bites, chemical spills, planetary dislocation, and, in the case of Alfred T. Slipper, from accidental submersion in an industrial-size vat of cleaning solution called Incandesto!

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo

Related Words

• confusion
• disarray
• disconnection
• disorder
• disruption
• disturbance