noun
Uncommon
locus
LOH-kuhs
Locus (noun) means a particular place, especially one seen as a centre of activity. Example: “The old square became the locus of the protests.”
noun
1
A particular place, especially one seen as a centre of activity.
"The old square became the locus of the protests."
"The lab is the locus of all the university's vaccine research."
2
In mathematics, the set of all points that satisfy a given condition or equation.
"The locus of points equidistant from a fixed point is a circle."
3
In genetics, the fixed position of a gene on a chromosome.
"Researchers identified a locus linked to the disorder."
How to use locus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fixed, specific location — used literally for places, and technically in maths (a set of points) and genetics (a gene's spot on a chromosome).
When to use it
Formal/technical; plural is "loci."
Common pairings
locus of control
locus of activity
genetic locus
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Word forms
- Plural
- loci, locuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old square became the _____ of the protests.
Etymology
A learned borrowing of Latin locus, "place." A doublet of the English word "lieu."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for locus
See all rhymes for locus →Frequently asked questions
What does “locus” mean?
The word “locus” means a particular place, especially one seen as a centre of activity. In plain terms, a fixed, specific location — used literally for places, and technically in maths (a set of points) and genetics (a gene's spot on a chromosome).
How do you pronounce “locus”?
“Locus” is pronounced LOH-kuhs (/ˈloʊkəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “locus” in a sentence?
Here is “locus” used in a sentence: “The old square became the locus of the protests.”
What part of speech is “locus”?
“Locus” is a noun.
Where does the word “locus” come from?
The word “locus” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing of Latin locus, "place." A doublet of the English word "lieu.".
Is “locus” a common word?
“Locus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “locus” have?
“Locus” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular place, especially one seen as a centre of activity.
