locale

[loh-kal, -kahl] /loʊˈkæl, -ˈkɑl/
noun
1.
a place or locality, especially with reference to events or circumstances connected with it:
to move to a warmer locale.
2.
the scene or setting, as of a novel, play, or motion picture:
The locale is a small Kansas town just before World War I.
Origin
1765-75; alteration of earlier local < French: noun use of the adj. See local
Can be confused
local, locale, locality, location.
Synonyms
1. location, site, spot.
Examples from the web for locale
  • Setting is, well, setting-meaning the trip's locale as well as cultural context.
  • In any event, there are temporary options for you in your new locale.
  • Education is so mandatory that you see nomads walk for hours to attend the nearest school in their locale.
  • Destination-savvy travelers seek out businesses that emphasize the character of the locale.
  • Blood racing through a brain region's web of vessels is a sign that nerve cells in that locale have kicked into action.
  • The campus got a donor to renovate a locale where the whole dept could be housed under one roof.
  • Buy a guidebook, history, or work of fiction set in the locale.
  • She takes all the time in the world to establish her plot, her people and her locale.
  • The online index is organized alphabetically by locale name.
  • Besides reading the histories, take a moment to get in touch with the ethos of the locale.
British Dictionary definitions for locale

locale

/ləʊˈkɑːl/
noun
1.
a place or area, esp with reference to events connected with it
Word Origin
C18: from French local (n use of adj); see local
Word Origin and History for locale
n.

1772, local, from French local, noun use of local (adj.), from Latin locus "place" (see locus). English spelling with -e (1816) probably is based on morale or else to indicate stress.

The word's right to exist depends upon the question whether the two indispensable words locality & scene give all the shades of meaning required, or whether something intermediate is useful. [Fowler]

locale in Technology

programming
A geopolitical place or area, especially in the context of configuring an operating system or application program with its character sets, date and time formats, currency formats etc.
Locales are significant for internationalisation and localisation.
(1999-06-09)