rhizoverbBeta
DictionarylocatorFinder
noun

locator

LOH-kay-ter/ˈləʊkeɪtər/

A means of establishing where something is.

The stud locator indicates the concealed wooden support behind the wall.

A handheld electronic stud locator pressed against a wall indicates the position of a concealed wooden stud.
Etymology
locatLatinto put, place
+orLatinone who does

Built on “put, place,” this agent noun first named people. Its later application to things that locate connects the idea of placing with determining a position.

In context

Red Cross of Alaska0:41
emergency locator beacons that go off, we are the first notification in Alaska to respond to those
2019 Alaska Safety | Heroes: Alaska Rescue Coordination Center | Sponsored by: Verizon

More examples

  • My key locator beeps when I press the button.
  • A URL serves as a locator for a resource online.
  • We hire a utility locator before digging in the yard.

Forms

locator · locators

locate verb — To find the position of something.

Similar words

finder
Emphasizes finding something rather than providing its address or position.
tracker
Usually follows movement over time rather than locating something once.