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

Recent store changes include moving skin care to the forefront, curating assortments to simplify shopping and localizing product selection. — Faye Brookman, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

The song is somewhat unusual in that it will be localized into different languages over the course of about a year and go out into the world along with the anime. — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026

These studios grew in popularity in Japan in the 1980s, and the trend was quickly adopted and localized in Korea around the same time. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Bryner mentioned the Alaska top donor disclosure law as an option to localize fundraising. — Rahul Mukherjee, NPR, 28 Oct. 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