dp

dp — noun

1. a person who has been forced to leave their home because of war, conflict, or a

1.nounB2
Definition

a person who has been forced to leave their home because of war, conflict, or a natural disaster, but has not crossed an international border

Example

After the earthquake, thousands of DPs were housed in emergency shelters across the region.

DP = displaced person, used in humanitarian contexts

The Red Cross set up a camp to help DPs who had lost their homes in the flood.

Common collocations
  • DP camp
  • DP status
  • thousands of DPs
  • internally displaced person
Synonyms
  • evacuee

    more specific to people moved out of danger by authorities, often temporary

Usage Note

Often used in news reports and official documents about conflicts or disasters. The term is different from 'refugee', which refers to someone who crosses a national border.

Common Mistakes

The UN helped DPs cross the border to safety.
The UN helped DPs find safety within their own country.
A DP (displaced person) has not crossed a border, unlike a refugee.

2. a play in baseball that results in two players from the batting team being calle

2.nounC1
Definition

a play in baseball that results in two players from the batting team being called out during the same continuous action on the field

Example

The shortstop fielded the ground ball and turned a smooth DP to end the inning.

DP = double play, used in baseball reporting

With a runner on first base, the pitcher hoped for a quick DP from the next batter.

Common collocations
  • turn a DP
  • start a DP
  • DP ground ball
Synonyms

Usage Note

Common in baseball broadcasts and sports news. Related verbs include 'turn a DP' and 'start a DP'.

Common Mistakes

The team scored a DP to win the game.
The team turned a DP to end the inning.
A DP (double play) is a defensive play that gets outs; it does not score runs.

3. a professional degree that qualifies someone to work as a pharmacist, advising p

3.nounC1
Definition

a professional degree that qualifies someone to work as a pharmacist, advising patients about medicines and preparing prescriptions

Example

After completing her Pharm.D., Mira opened a pharmacy in her hometown near the hospital.

Pharm.D. = Doctor of Pharmacy, used in academic titles

The Pharm.D. programme requires four years of study after earning a bachelor's degree.

Common collocations
  • Pharm.D. programme
  • Pharm.D. degree
  • Pharm.D. graduate

Usage Note

Also written as Pharm.D. (with periods). This is a doctoral-level degree in the United States and some other countries, similar in length to medical training.

Common Mistakes

She is studying to become a Pharm.D. technician.
She is studying to become a pharmacist with a Pharm.D. degree.
Pharm.D. is the degree title for a pharmacist, not a separate job role.

4. a professional degree that qualifies someone to diagnose and treat medical condi

4.nounC1
Definition

a professional degree that qualifies someone to diagnose and treat medical conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower leg

Example

Dr. Rodrigo holds a D.P. and treats patients with foot and ankle problems at his clinic.

D.P. = Doctor of Podiatry, used in medical titles

After earning his D.P., Christopher opened a clinic that specialises in sports foot injuries.

Common collocations
  • D.P. degree
  • D.P. programme
  • D.P. title

Usage Note

Also written as D.P. or DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine). Distinguish from sense 3 (Doctor of Pharmacy) — both use 'DP' but in different medical fields.

Common Mistakes

My foot doctor has a Pharm.D. degree.
My foot doctor has a D.P. degree.
Pharm.D. is for pharmacists; D.P. is for podiatrists who treat feet.

5. the use of computers and software to collect, organise, store, and analyse infor

5.nounB2
Definition

the use of computers and software to collect, organise, store, and analyse information in a useful way

Example

The company's DP department handles all customer information with strict security measures.

DP = data processing, used in computing contexts

Bao works in the DP unit of the hospital, managing patient records and test results.

Common collocations
  • DP department
  • DP system
  • DP unit
Synonyms

Usage Note

Now largely replaced by broader terms like 'IT' or 'data management', but still used in some business and government contexts.

6. a number that indicates how many repeating molecular units are linked together i

6.nounC2
Definition

a number that indicates how many repeating molecular units are linked together in a polymer chain, used to describe the material's properties

Example

The DP of this plastic determines how strong and flexible the final product will be.

DP = degree of polymerization, used in chemistry

In the chemistry lab, Ravindra measured the DP of the polymer sample using a special machine.

Common collocations
  • DP value
  • DP measurement
  • high DP
  • low DP

Usage Note

A highly technical term used mainly in polymer chemistry and materials science. Not found in general conversation.

7. the temperature at which water vapour in the air starts to turn into liquid wate

7.nounC1
Definition

the temperature at which water vapour in the air starts to turn into liquid water, forming dew or fog

Example

When the air temperature drops to the dew point, fog often forms in the early morning.

DP = dew point, used in weather contexts

Meteorologists measure the dew point to predict how humid or comfortable the air will feel.

Common collocations
  • dew point temperature
  • high dew point
  • low dew point
  • dew point measurement

Usage Note

Commonly used in weather forecasts and aviation. The higher the dew point, the more moisture the air holds.

Common Mistakes

The dew point rose to thirty degrees, so it will be very dry today.
The dew point rose to thirty degrees, so the air will feel very humid.
A high dew point means high moisture, not dryness.

8. the person responsible for the visual look and camera work of a film, television

8.nounB2
Definition

the person responsible for the visual look and camera work of a film, television show, or video production

Example

The DP decided to use natural lighting for the beach scene in the film.

DP = director of photography, used in film credits

Daichi worked as the DP on a short film that won an award for best cinematography.

Common collocations
  • DP credit
  • work as DP
  • DP role
Synonyms
  • cinematographer

    the standard full term, often used in film credits alongside 'DP'

Usage Note

Also called 'cinematographer'. The DP works closely with the film director to create the visual mood of each scene.

Common Mistakes

The DP wrote the script for the movie.
The DP planned the lighting and camera angles for the movie.
The DP (director of photography) handles the visual look, not the writing.

Word family

  • data processing
    nounB2
  • displaced person
    nounB2
  • double play
    nounC1
  • director of photography
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/5

Data processing (DP) focuses on the operations that transform raw data into useful information — sorting, calculating, and summarising. Data management is a broader term that includes storage, security, backup, and organisation alongside processing tasks. Information processing is more formal and often used in academic or technical writing, covering how data becomes meaningful. In everyday business, 'data processing' is now less common than 'data management' or simply 'IT'. For example: 'The company's data processing unit runs payroll every week.' vs. 'Her role in data management involves keeping customer records secure.'

data managementinformation processingdata processing

Common collocations

Nouns

  • DP department
  • DP system
  • DP unit
  • DP camp
  • DP status
  • DP degree
  • DP value
  • DP credit

Phrases

  • turn a DP
  • start a DP
  • work as DP

Etymology

EnglishModern English abbreviations

DP is an abbreviation formed from the first letters of various multi-word terms. Most senses date from the 20th century: 'displaced person' emerged after World War I and was widely used after World War II; 'double play' has been in baseball terminology since the 1860s; 'data processing' rose with the computer industry in the 1950s–60s; and 'director of photography' became standard in film credits in the early 1900s. Each meaning of DP developed independently within its own field.