localize

verb

lo·​cal·​ize ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz 

localized; localizing

transitive verb

1

: to make local : orient locally

2

: to assign to or keep within a definite locality

intransitive verb

: to accumulate in or be restricted to a specific or limited area

an infection that localizes in the ear

localizability

ˌlō-kə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

localizable

ˈlō-kə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

localization

ˌlō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of localize in a Sentence

Doctors are trying to localize the infection by using antibiotics.

The computer technician was able to localize the fault quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web

By using the periodic variation to pinpoint the source, researchers localized the accelerator to a region roughly three times the size of the Sun. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Heat waves also often impact a wider geographic area than other natural disasters, which tend to be more localized, leading to more extensive business disruptions, Porter noted. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

The glove caused another man’s leg muscles to spasm, although the shock, applied on his forearm, was advertised as being strictly localized. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

For cancers that do require treatment, outcomes are strong when the disease stays localized. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for localize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

localize

verb

lo·​cal·​ize ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz 

localized; localizing

1

: to assign to or keep in a definite place or locality

2

: to be restricted to or accumulate in a limited area

pain localized in a joint

localization

ˌlō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

localize

verb

lo·​cal·​ize

variants also British localise

ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz 

localized also British localised; localizing also British localising

transitive verb

: to make local

especially : to fix in or confine to a definite place or part

hot applications helped to localize the infection

intransitive verb

: to accumulate in or be restricted to a specific or limited area

this parasite localizes and grows in the muscle

—Morris Fishbein