localize

verb lo·cal·ize \ ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of localize

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

play \ˌlō-kə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

localizable

play \ˈlō-kə-ˌlī-zə-bəl\ adjective

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localization

play \ˌlō-kə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See localize defined for English-language learners

See localize defined for kids

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 of localize from the Web

Lots of other student movements, such as Black Lives Matter or the Day Without Immigrants in 2006, were more localized, and hit many key cities but didn’t resonate on the national level in the way that these walkouts have.

— isabel fattal, The Atlantic, "What Will the Nationwide School Walkouts Accomplish?," 14 Mar. 2018
Some of Bevin's proposed program cuts have an impact statewide, while others are localized to certain areas.

— mandy mclaren, The Courier-Journal, "Some Kentucky schools could fail under Gov. Matt Bevin's proposed budget," 18 Jan. 2018
The Cascades will see some snow over the next few days, but accumulations will be localized and only a few new inches are expected.

— rosemarie stein | the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "Portland metro Wednesday weather: Spotty showers with possible thunder this afternoon," 14 Mar. 2018
Inventory is selected on both a centralized basis (a core based on nationwide buying patterns) and localized buying.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "Super-bookstore/cafe/publisher Shakespeare & Co. opening in Philadelphia this summer," 14 Mar. 2018
Some dry, oddly stilted dialogue does not help matters, either—every fifth line feels like it was inexpertly localized into English (which may indeed be the case, as Sandberg is based in Sweden).

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "Iconoclasts review: Explore, upgrade, skip the dialogue," 24 Jan. 2018
Crucially, this would explain why some victims heard a noise and others did not, as intermodulation distortion is highly localized.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Some Experts Think the Mysterious Cuba Embassy Noise Wasn't an Attack At All," 2 Mar. 2018
Twenty years ago, the number of African descendants in Chile was small and very localized in the Azapa Valley in northern Chile.

— jacqueline charles, miamiherald, "Chile is used to welcoming migrants. But Haitians don’t always get a warm reception | Miami Herald," 1 Mar. 2018
That rain combined with the snowmelt along with up to an inch of additional rainfall this afternoon and into this evening may produce localized flooding, the weather service said.

— mike johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "More rain, flooding possible in southern Wisconsin," 19 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'localize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of localize

1792

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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LOCALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

localize

verb

Definition of localize for English Language Learners

: to keep (something) within a limited area : to prevent the spread of (something)
: to find or identify the location of (something)

LOCALIZE Defined for Kids

localize

verb lo·cal·ize \ ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz \

Definition of localize for Students

localized; localizing

: to keep or be kept in a certain area Firefighters localized the fire.

Medical Dictionary

localize

verb lo·cal·ize

variants: also British localise play \ˈlō-kə-ˌlīz\

medical Definition of localize

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

Learn More about localize

Spanish Central: Translation of localize Nglish: Translation of localize for Spanish speakers

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localize

Definition of localize

localizability

localizable

localization

Examples of localize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of localize from the Web

First Known Use of localize

LOCALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

localize

Definition of localize for English Language Learners

LOCALIZE Defined for Kids

localize

Definition of localize for Students

Medical Dictionary

localize

medical Definition of localize

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