Legal Definitions - displacement

Definition: Displacement means moving something or someone from its proper place or position. It can also mean replacing something or someone with another. Displacement can also refer to the forced removal of a person from their home or country, especially because of war. Lastly, displacement can refer to shifting emotional focus from one thing to another, often to avoid unpleasant or unacceptable thoughts or tendencies.

• When I cleaned my desk, I experienced displacement of my files because I moved them from their proper place.
• After the lawyer got sick, there was a displacement of the lawyer with another lawyer.
• During the war, there was a displacement of refugees from their homes and countries.
• When I feel sad, I experience emotional displacement by shifting my focus to something happy.

The first two examples illustrate the first definition of displacement, which is moving something or someone from its proper place or position. The third example illustrates the third definition of displacement, which is the forced removal of a person from their home or country. The fourth example illustrates the fourth definition of displacement, which is shifting emotional focus from one thing to another.