ENGLISH
REFERENCE

locate

v.
US //ˈɫoʊˌkeɪt// UK //ləʊkˈeɪt// lo·cate
  1. 1 to find something (v.)
    B1 Intermediate General-service

    to find the exact position of something or someone.

    to discover or determine the precise location or position of an entity.

    Example

    The rescue team used a drone to locate the missing hikers in the forest.

    Example

    Archaeologists used ground-penetrating radar to locate the foundations of the ancient villa without disturbing the topsoil.

    Usage

    Often used in passive constructions or with 'can' to indicate the ability to find something.
  2. 2 to place something (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Academic

    to put or build something in a particular area.

    to establish or settle something in a particular place; often used in business contexts regarding facilities.

    Example

    The company decided to locate its new office near the train station.

    Example

    The government intends to locate the new research facility in a region with high unemployment to stimulate the local economy.

    Usage

    Frequently appears in the passive voice as 'be located in/at'.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 to move to a place (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal American English

    to move to a new place to live or do business.

    to take up residence or establish a place of business in a new area.

    Example

    After the war, the family decided to locate in a small town out west.

    Example

    Many tech startups choose to locate in the downtown district to remain close to venture capital firms and talent pools.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern British English, 'relocate' is much more common for this sense; 'locate' as an intransitive verb for moving is largely North American.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin locātus, perfect passive participle of locō (“to place”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from locus (“place”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French louer; see also local and lieu.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference