locate

verb

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 adjective

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Instead of traditional Hanukkah candles, this menorah is operated through a button located at the base. Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2023 For instance, it was located beside two ceramic vessels and a cloth wrapped around several metal objects. Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023 The academy is located on the building’s 5,000-square-foot third floor. Eric Guzmán, Detroit Free Press, 11 Sep. 2023 Arcadia located in the southeastern part of the state and is surrounded by the St. Francois Mountains. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023 Responding officers did not locate the suspect’s vehicle. cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023 This property — the newest addition to Romer Neighborhood Hotels’ portfolio — is located on 8th Avenue, just a few blocks away from multiple subway lines. Jessica Vadillo, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2023 To minimize freeze-ups, the bathrooms and other areas with a lot of water will be located in the center of the building, Croft said. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2023 The remains — which have yet to be positively identified as Hooks, according to police — were located in a wooded area off U.S. 60 (Lexington Turnpike) in Amherst, Va. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of locate was in 1513

Dictionary Entries Near locate

Cite this Entry

“Locate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

locate

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on locate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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