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

At the scene Friday night, a gray electric Citi Bike could be seen lodged beneath the wheels of a truck belonging to Badger Daylighting, a company specializing in hydrovac excavation whose NYC headquarters are located in the Bronx. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026

Italy’s experience with the virus is drawing attention from European countries located farther north. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Listing agent Ginny Parks noted the significance of the home, located near the university campus, while showing a reporter around the property. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Local independent garden centers are most likely obtaining some of these varieties or can locate them for you. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 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