/ dɪsˈpleɪs; NAmE / verb [ vn ] [ often passive ]
1.
to take the place of sb/sth
SYN replace :
Gradually factory workers have been displaced by machines.
( technical )
The ship displaces 58 000 tonnes (= as a way of measuring its size) .
2.
to force people to move away from their home to another place :
Around 10 000 people have been displaced by the fighting.
3.
to move sth from its usual position :
Check for roof tiles that have been displaced by the wind.
4.
( especially NAmE ) to remove sb from a job or position :
displaced workers
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Old French desplacer .