located; locating
Synonyms of locatenext

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
France's education ministry is in the process of urgently contacting around 3,000 spare teachers who could be sent to schools with the most pressing needs, often located in low-income areas, said Education Minister Edouard Geffray. — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 The two Gen 1 Type-A ports are located opposite, on the right side of the same panel. — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 Coastal evacuations In Los Santos province, where Tonosí is located, approximately 300 people were evacuated from a coastal community to higher ground after sea levels rose following the earthquake. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026 Anyone with information that may help locate Keierleber is asked to contact non-emergency dispatch at 208-377-6790. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for locate

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Locate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/locate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

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
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