locate

verb

lo·​cate ˈlō-ˌkāt  lō-ˈkāt 

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

ˈlō-ˌkā-tə-bəl 

lō-ˈkā-

adjective

Synonyms of locate

• find
• discover
• learn

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

An Amber Alert that was issued for a 4-year-old who was allegedly abducted from Los Angeles on Wednesday morning was canceled after he was safely located by police. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Neutral-atom quantum computing firm Infleqtion plans to test a quantum sensing system in Colorado in 2027 that could help locate critical mineral deposits underground before exploration companies spend heavily on drilling. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

The neighborhood The hotel is located in the north of Menorca, one of the most unspoiled areas of the island. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

The next day, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page asking for help locating Nikki. — Francie Ebert, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing locate

• co-locate

Rhymes for locate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

locate

verb

lo·​cate ˈlō-ˌkāt  lō-ˈkāt 

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