What does "locus" mean?
A place or locality, especially a centre of activity or the scene of a crime.
Locus
/ˈləʊkəs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A place or locality, especially a centre of activity or the scene of a crime.
- Grammar: locus is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abode, area, bearings, bench mark.
- Useful contrasts: complement, margin, periphery.
- Usage evidence: If you think you are at the mercy of forces beyond your control, you have an external locus of control.
How to use "locus"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "locus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "locus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "locus" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "locus" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "locus" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abode" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "locus", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A place or locality, especially a centre of activity or the scene of a crime.
"The cafeteria was the locus of activity."
- 2 the set of all points or lines that satisfy or are determined by specific conditions wordnet
- 3 The set of all points whose coordinates satisfy a given equation or condition.
"A circle is the locus of points from which the distance to the center is a given value, the radius."
- 4 the specific site of a particular gene on its chromosome wordnet
- 5 A fixed position on a string of DNA or RNA, especially a chromosome, that may be occupied by one or more genes.
"Holonyms: subband < band < region < replicon"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 the scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting) wordnet
- 7 A passage in writing, especially in a collection of ancient sacred writings arranged according to a theme. in-plural
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"If you think you are at the mercy of forces beyond your control, you have an external locus of control."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "locus"?
Common synonyms include: abode, area, bearings, bench mark, center, chromosomal position.
How do you use "locus" in a sentence?
If you think you are at the mercy of forces beyond your control, you have an external locus of control.
How do you pronounce "locus"?
Pronounced /ˈləʊkəs/.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin locus. Doublet of lieu.