locate

verb

lo·​cate ˈlō-ˌkāt  lō-ˈkāt 

located; locating

intransitive verb

: to establish oneself or one's business : settle

The company will locate north of the city.

transitive verb

1

: to determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of

locate the lines of the property.

2

: to set or establish in a particular spot : station

located the clock in the exact center of the mantel

3

: to seek out and determine the location of

Try to locate the source of the sound.

4

: to find or fix the place of especially in a sequence : classify

locating the reigns of the pastoral kings

locatable

ˈlō-ˌkā-tə-bəl 

lō-ˈkā-

adjective

Synonyms

• ascertain
• descry
• detect
• determine
• dig out
• dig up
• discover
• dredge (up)
• ferret (out)
• find
• find out
• get
• hit (on or upon)
• hunt (down or up)
• learn
• nose out
• root (out)
• rout (out)
• rummage
• run down
• scare up
• scout (up)
• track (down)
• turn up

Examples of locate in a Sentence

We tried to locate the border of the property.

Can you locate your town on the map?

The missing boy was located by police in the woods.

The mechanic is still trying to locate the source of the problem.

Reporters have been unable to locate the mayor for his comments.

The company chose to locate its factory near the airport.

The company located near the airport.

His parents located in Ohio.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Museum of Broadway Theater fans can get a behind the scenes look at some of their favorite shows at The Museum of Broadway, located in Manhattan’s Theatre District. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

The Azusa Police Department this weekend arrested a homeless man suspected of setting a brush fire at a park located near the foothills. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025

Kyiv also attacked the site, located in the city of Nizhnekamsk, in April 2024, damaging the plant's main processing unit, according to the official. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a potential burglary call at Vice President Harris' home in Brentwood, California, located within the Palisades Fire evacuation zone early Sunday, according to local reports. —Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin locatus, past participle of locare to place, from locus

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing locate

• co-locate

Kids Definition

locate

verb

lo·​cate ˈlō-ˌkāt  lō-ˈkāt 

located; locating

1

: to set oneself or one's business up in a particular place

2

: to state and fix exactly the place, limits, or position of

locate property lines

locate point B

3

a

: to look for and find the position of

trying to locate the problem with the engine

b

: to find or fix the place of in a series

locate an event in history