locus
Americannoun
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loci,
plural
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loca
plural
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a place; locality.
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a center or source, as of activities or power.
locus of control.
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Mathematics. the set of all points, lines, or surfaces that satisfy a given requirement.
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Genetics. the chromosomal position of a gene as determined by its linear order relative to the other genes on that chromosome.
noun
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(in many legal phrases) a place or area, esp the place where something occurred
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maths a set of points whose location satisfies or is determined by one or more specified conditions
the locus of points equidistant from a given point is a circle
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genetics the position of a particular gene on a chromosome
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loci
plural
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The set or configuration of all points whose coordinates satisfy a single equation or one or more algebraic conditions.
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The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of locus
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin; Old Latin stlocus “a place”
Explanation
The center or source of something is known as the locus. A shopping mall is usually a locus for teenagers. In addition to being a hub or hotspot, locus has specific meanings when used in math or science. In math, a locus is when a set of points all meet at a designated location: a circle is the locus of points equal in length from one given point. In genetics, the locus is the location of a certain gene on a chromosome. A locus is where things are happening. Washington, D.C. is the locus for politics in the U.S.
Vocabulary lists containing locus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
By revealing the intricate connections, specialized functions, and unusual physical structure of neurons in the locus coeruleus, the research provides a more detailed picture of how the animal brain communicates and learns.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
As growth hormone gradually builds up during sleep, it stimulates neurons in the locus coeruleus, increasing their activity and helping promote the transition toward waking.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
Because the locus coeruleus helps regulate attention, alertness, and cognitive function, growth hormone's influence on this region suggests it could also play a role in how effectively the brain functions after waking.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026
On Saturday the protests spread to trade unions and members of the yellow-vest protest movement, becoming a locus of broader discontent over the state of France’s public services.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
For us, the island had become the locus of the struggle.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Which is why the Olympic rink has been invaded by George Michael, the Backstreet Boys and enough Ricky Martin to turn Milan’s dolce vita into la vida loca.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
“We call it hora loca in Spanish. And we created a playlist of second movements of Mozart symphonies and that somehow is like a sedative. They always immediately relax.”
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2023
Thinking back on her vida loca, Romero has to laugh.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 2022
It continued at La Piazzetta, a restaurant within the resort, where the couple and their guests enjoyed a flamboyant hora loca, an hour full of dancing and appearances by costumed performers.
From New York Times ● Mar. 4, 2022
Luz and Milagro exchange a glance that says, “Oh no, not another loca in the family!” and refuse to ask anything.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Would Washingtonians rather live next to a structure that looks like a gigantic Martian spaceship or a work of beauty that reflects the genius loci, the spirit of the place?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 20, 2026
Previous studies had identified 22 genetic risk loci -- that is, regions of our genome that contain changes associated with increased risk of developing the condition.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2024
Altogether, the team identified 259 genetic loci that were associated with retinal thickness.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 24, 2024
With the help of genetic mapping, two adjacent gene loci in chromosome 5 were associated with dilated cardiomyopathy.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2023
Nevertheless, the idea of using loci for artificial memory was at the center of formal education in rhetoric for centuries.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
