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.
Recent Examples on the Web California population declines in 2023 Three counties that had some of the fastest population losses in the country were located in California. USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024 Tarrant County Public Health inspects and scores restaurants in Tarrant County except for those located in Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and North Richland Hills. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2024 In March 1995, a 27-year-old man was attacked by a mountain lion in Mt. Lowe located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County. Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2024 According to the statement, Peru’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked alongside local authorities, consulates and embassies in the countries where the objects were located to bring them back to Peru. Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 One of the best—and one of the ultimate destinations for families—is Emerald Isle, North Carolina, which is located south of the Outer Banks on the Crystal Coast. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 The grocery distribution center, located on the southwest corner of East Pleasant Run and Cornell Roads, is now sending frozen foods from pizza to ice cream to stores. Maria Halkias The Dallas Morning News (tns), arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 Police said K-9s swept the building and no explosive was located. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 The huge plant — located about 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of the German capital — is its only one in Europe and is currently capable of producing 375,000 electric vehicles a year. Olesya Dmitracova, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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

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