Word
locality
Phoneticslo·cal·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/ɫoʊˈkæɫəti/
UK/ləʊkˈælɪti/
Definitions
01a specific area or neighborhood
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. a particular area, district, or neighborhood where people live or work.
n. a specific geographic area or district, often considered in terms of its social or physical characteristics.
“The police are searching for the suspect in the immediate locality.”
“The value of the property is largely determined by the amenities available within the immediate locality, such as schools and public transport.”
Synonyms
02position or site
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Technical
n. the specific place where something is located.
n. the state or quality of having a position in space, or the specific site of an object or event.
“The exact locality of the ancient ruins was kept secret to prevent looting.”
“Researchers mapped the locality of each rare plant species to better understand the microclimates of the valley.”
03computing/physics
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the tendency of things to happen or stay near each other.
n. the principle that a process or object only interacts with its immediate surroundings, or the tendency of a processor to access the same memory locations repeatedly.
“The software runs faster because it takes advantage of data locality.”
“Optimizing for locality of reference ensures that the CPU can retrieve data from the cache rather than slower main memory.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'locality of reference' in computer science.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Twenty-seven former rebels are being deployed as community mobilisers in the Tchomia locality of Ituri Province to promote behaviours that prevent the spread of the deadly virus.” “Some 400 beds have been added in facilities in various localities over the past two weeks.” Etymology
From French localité, from Late Latin localitas, equivalent to local + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/locality