locate

verb

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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is located near Loop 101 and Maryland Avenue, on the west side of the freeway. Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025 The $125 million corporate hub will be located in Franklin's Berry Farms neighborhood and is expected to open later this year. Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 24 July 2025 Rideshare drop-off and pick-up is located on the east side of Q2 Stadium on Delta Drive. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025 Chinese Premier Li Qiang launched the construction of the mega-dam, located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan plateau, that is expected to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually — three times the size of the Three Gorges Dam — the world’s largest source of hydroelectric power. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for locate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of locate was in 1513

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Locate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locate. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

locate

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on locate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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