# locale

/ɫoʊˈkæɫ/ (US) · /ləʊkˈɑːl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/locale
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a specific place or location, especially one that is important for a particular activity or event. In computing, it refers to a setting that controls how your system handles things like dates, money, and text.

For teachers: a specific location or environment, particularly one relevant to a particular activity or technical configuration. In a technical context, it refers to a set of parameters that defines the language and cultural conventions for a software application.

## Examples

- The software automatically adjusts to your locale settings.
- The developer had to configure the application for multiple locales to support international customers.
- By selecting the appropriate locale, the system ensures that numerical values are formatted according to local conventions, such as using commas for thousands separators in some European countries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.