locus

noun

lo·​cus ˈlō-kəs 

plural loci ˈlō-ˌsī 

-ˌkī, 

-ˌkē

1

a

: the place where something is situated or occurs : site, location

Was the culture of medicine in the beginning dispersed from a single focus or did it arise in several loci?

—S. C. Harvey

b

: a center of activity, attention, or concentration

In democracy the locus of power is in the people.

—H. G. Rickover

2

: the set of all points whose location is determined by stated conditions

3

: the position in a chromosome of a particular gene or allele

Synonyms of locus

• center
• hub
• capital
• mecca
• focus
• nucleus
• seat
• core

Examples of locus in a Sentence

The area became a locus of resistance to the government.

an area of the Southwest that has been the locus of a number of New Agey movements

Recent Examples on the Web

Even one of America’s most selective schools – Brown University, locus of the Graduate by Hilton Providence – announced $30M in budget cuts and saw its financial outlook downgraded to negative by Moody’s. — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

When the problem is recast as overmedicalization and the solution as lifestyle, the locus of responsibility migrates. — Sunny Patel, STAT, 17 July 2026

Big Sky's newfound identity as a locus of wealth and power has caused consternation among some longtime residents, but many welcome the new energy. — Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026

Two would be a major statement about the shifting locus of power in the women’s game. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at stall

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing locus

• locus ceruleus
• locus classicus
• locus coeruleus

Rhymes for locus

• crocus
• focus
• hocus
• autofocus
• defocus
• refocus

Kids Definition

locus

noun

lo·​cus ˈlō-kəs 

plural loci ˈlō-ˌsī 

-ˌkī, 

-ˌkē

1

: place entry 1 sense 3a, locality

2

: the set of all points whose location is determined by stated conditions

3

: the position in a chromosome of a particular gene or allele

Medical Definition

locus

noun

lo·​cus ˈlō-kəs 

plural loci

ˈlō-ˌsī, -ˌkī also -ˌkē

1

: a place or site of an event, activity, or thing

the integrity of the tissues determines the extent and locus of the damage

—Sylvia E. Hines

2

: the position in a chromosome of a particular gene or allele

Legal Definition

locus

noun

lo·​cus ˈlō-kəs 

: the place connected with a particular event having legal significance