locator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal, primarily technical.
Quick answer
What does “locator” mean?
A person or device that finds or identifies the position of someone or something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or device that finds or identifies the position of someone or something.
A feature, tool, or service that helps determine the specific location or source of an object, place, or information. In computing, a string of characters used to identify and access a resource (URL).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slight preference for 'finder' in more casual UK contexts, while 'locator' is standard in technical use in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and functional in both varieties. Slightly more formal than 'finder.'
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Slightly more common in American English in commercial product names (e.g., 'Key Locator').
Grammar
How to Use “locator” in a Sentence
locator for [object]locator that [clause][type of] locatorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “locator” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The locator beacon activated automatically.
- We need the locator function on this app.
American English
- The locator chip is embedded in the collar.
- Check the locator settings on your phone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for tools to find retail outlets or service centres (e.g., 'Use our online store locator').
Academic
Used in geography, computing, and logistics to describe instruments or algorithms for determining position.
Everyday
Most common in the context of finding lost items or nearest services (e.g., 'I used a tile locator for my keys').
Technical
Central term in IT (Uniform Resource Locator - URL), GIS (geographic information systems), and engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locator”
- Using 'locator' as a verb (e.g., 'I will locator it' - incorrect; use 'locate').
- Confusing 'locator' with 'location' (a place vs. a thing that finds a place).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'locator' is a noun. The verb form is 'to locate.'
A 'locator' typically finds a static position at a point in time, while a 'tracker' follows movement over time, though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Yes, though it's less common. It can refer to someone whose job is to find things, like a 'mineral locator' in prospecting.
It is standard in both British and American English, with no significant variation.
A person or device that finds or identifies the position of someone or something.
Locator is usually neutral to formal, primarily technical. in register.
Locator: in British English it is pronounced /ləʊˈkeɪ.tə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈloʊ.keɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good map is the best locator.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCATOR as an agent that LOCATES things. It has 'locate' right in the middle of it.
Conceptual Metaphor
FINDING IS SEEING (e.g., 'The locator pinpoints the target'), NAVIGATION IS A TOOL.
Practice
Quiz
In the context of web browsing, what does the 'L' in URL stand for?