locus
Americannoun
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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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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:
Problems affecting the locus coeruleus have been linked to numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
Mecca, nestled in Saudi Arabia’s western mountains, is within range of Iranian missiles and drones, but it is far from the locus of fighting in the Persian Gulf and generally considered off-limits by the belligerents.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
The wake for Valle was another locus of infection, where all three of his daughters got sick.
From Barron's ● May 11, 2026
Tucked away in a quiet industrial park, the nondescript building had become the locus of ongoing protests since Bovino and his forces had arrived in Illinois.
From Salon ● Apr. 15, 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
Are you ready to live la vida loca, bailando and pump that gasolina?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
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
I recognize the word loca quite a few times.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
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
Meta-analysis of the data revealed 95 loci strongly associated with PTSD, including 80 that had not been identified previously.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2024
By enabling researchers to swiftly pinpoint genomic loci for targeted gene integration, CRISPR-COPIES provides a streamlined pipeline that facilitates the identification of stable integration sites across the genome.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 13, 2024
Quintilian, even as he tips the hat to loci, expresses reservations—wondering whether, being so visual, it was quite so useful for memorizing ideas as it was for objects.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions 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.
