localize

verb

lo·​cal·​ize ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce localize (audio)
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
localizable adjective
localization 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 The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday. Emily M. Eng, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023 Vanguard had been announced in December 2021 along with the news that Chinese publisher Tencent would be brought on to localize and distribute the game in China. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 13 Nov. 2023 The 5 hurricane categories, explained The storm’s torrential rain is forecast to produce widespread totals of 8 to 16 inches, and localized amounts up to 20 inches through Friday. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023 However, these rapid expansions are localized and do not yet happen everywhere along the northern tree line. David J. Cooper, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2023 Still, Republicans and their allies will seek to localize races and focus on specific issues to make clear the role their candidates could play in Washington. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2023 The molecular signatures that are typically associated with the front-most portion of an animal’s head were also localized towards the middle of each of the sea star’s five arms. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023 Some people have localized vitiligo, in which only a few white spots appear, while others can have it on larger swaths of skin.38 The cause of vitiligo is not fully understood. Health Editorial Team, Health, 30 Oct. 2023 Some science festivals are localized enough to be hosted on a college campus, like the Virginia Tech Science Festival, while others span entire cities and states. Jennifer Walter, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'localize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of localize was in 1792

Dictionary Entries Near localize

Cite this Entry

“Localize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/localize. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

localize

verb
lo·​cal·​ize ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce localize (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

localize

verb
lo·​cal·​ize
variants also British localise
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 muscleMorris Fishbein

More from Merriam-Webster on localize

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