displacement

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the distance and direction an object has moved from its starting point.

n. a vector quantity representing the change in position of an object, defined by both magnitude and direction.

“The car drove ten miles, but its total displacement from the house was only two miles east.”

“In classical mechanics, displacement is distinguished from distance by its requirement for a specific directional vector relative to the origin.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the amount of liquid that is pushed aside when an object is put into it.

n. the volume or weight of a fluid displaced by a floating or submerged body, used to determine buoyancy or ship size.

“The ship has a displacement of over 50,000 tons when fully loaded.”

“Archimedes' principle states that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displacement it causes.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Medicine Academic · Technical

n. moving your feelings about one person or thing onto someone else.

n. an unconscious defence mechanism where the mind redirects emotions from a dangerous or unacceptable target to a safe one.

“Shouting at his friend after a bad day at work was a clear case of displacement.”

“The patient exhibited displacement by venting his frustrations with his employer onto the nursing staff during his recovery.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the total volume of the cylinders in an engine.

n. the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement.

“The motorcycle has a small engine displacement, making it very fuel-efficient.”

“High-performance sports cars often feature larger engine displacements to achieve greater torque and horsepower at lower RPMs.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Academic · Technical

n. the ability of language to talk about things that are not here or now.

n. the capability of a communication system to refer to objects or events that are distant in time or space.

“Human language has displacement, allowing us to talk about the past and the future.”

“Unlike most animal communication, human speech exhibits displacement, enabling the discussion of hypothetical scenarios and historical events.”