Location vs. Place: What's the Difference?

Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 5, 2023
Location refers to a specific point on Earth, often with coordinates; Place involves the attributes and values humans associate with a location.

Key Differences
something is on the globe. It's objective and used in mapping. On the other hand, a Place carries more than just coordinates; it includes the human experiences, the stories, emotions, and memories that are associated with that Location.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Location can be identified without human interaction; it's a fact-based term dependent on a physical point that can be scientifically determined. Conversely, Place requires human perception and experience; it's subjective, created by human attachments, emotions, and experiences tied to a Location.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Location is often used in a geographical context, like the exact spot you'd find a landmark or city using GPS coordinates. Place, however, goes deeper to involve cultural, emotional, and historical contexts, the qualitative factors that give meaning to the Location identified.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Location is universal, recognized globally regardless of personal experiences or cultural background since it refers to fixed points on Earth. But a Place can mean different things to different people, influenced by personal experiences, culture, and history associated with that Location.

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Location is a term that's used when the exact spot of something is needed, it’s more functional. Whereas Place is used more in the context of living beings forming a community, it’s about the significance and the role of a Location in people's lives.

Aimie Carlson
Nov 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Usage
Functional, exact coordinates
Significance in human experiences, community

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Location and Place Definitions
Location
Location is a point or area on Earth's surface;
The Location of the ancient ruins is still a mystery.

Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Location
Location refers to a particular building or area;
The concert's Location was shifted to the stadium.

Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Place
Room or space, especially adequate space
There is place for everyone at the back of the room.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
Location can refer to a digital presence;
The server's Location is crucial for network speed.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by or allocated to a person or thing.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
Location can be an area described concerning the surroundings;
The restaurant's Location is next to the towering skyscraper.

Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Place
A building or an area set aside for a specified purpose
A place of worship.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
The act or process of locating
Location of the lost hikers took two days.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
A site away from a studio at which part or all of a movie is shot
Filming a Western on location in the Mexican desert.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A space in which one person, such as a passenger or spectator, can sit or stand.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
(South Africa) An apartheid-era urban area populated by non-white people; township.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A position regarded as belonging to someone or something else; stead
She was chosen in his place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A particular point that one has reached, as in a book
I have lost my place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
A contract for the use of a thing, or service of a person, for hire.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
The marking out of the boundaries, or identifying the place or site of, a piece of land, according to the description given in an entry, plan, map, etc

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The proper or designated role or function
The place of the media in a free society.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
(Kenya) An administrative region in Kenya, below counties and subcounties, and further divided into sublocations.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
A determination of the location of something;
He got a good fix on the target

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Location
Location can be a setting or scene in a narrative;
The novel's Location shifts dramatically in the second chapter.

Janet White
Oct 20, 2023
Place
The specified stage in a list of points to be made, as in an argument
In the first place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To put in a specified relation or order
Place the words in alphabetical order.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To arrange for the publication or display of
Place an advertisement in the newspaper.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To identify or classify in a particular context
Could not place that person's face.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To be among those who finish a competition or race, especially to finish second.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
An open space, particularly a city square, market square, or courtyard.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A street, sometimes but not always surrounding a public place, square, or plaza of the same name.
They live at Westminster Place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Any area of the earth: a region.
He is going back to his native place on vacation.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The area one occupies, particularly somewhere to sit.
We asked the restaurant to give us a table with three places.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The area where one lives: one's home, formerly country estates and farms.
Do you want to come over to my place later?

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A particular location in a book or document, particularly the current location of a reader.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A role or purpose; a station.
It is really not my place to say what is right and wrong in this case.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The position of a contestant in a competition.
We thought we would win but only ended up in fourth place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(horse-racing) The position of first, second, or third at the finish, especially the second position.
To win a bet on a horse for place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The position as a member of a sports team.
He lost his place in the national team.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Numerically, the column counting a certain quantity.
Three decimal places;
The hundreds place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding.
That's what I said in the first place!

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(transitive) To put (an object or person) in a specific location.
He placed the glass on the table.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(intransitive) To earn a given spot in a competition.
The Cowboys placed third in the league.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To finish second, especially of horses or dogs.
In the third race: Aces Up won, paying eight dollars; Blarney Stone placed, paying three dollars; and Cinnamon showed, paying five dollars.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To rank at (a certain position, often followed by an ordinal) as in a horse race.
Run Ragged was placed fourth in the race.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(transitive) To remember where and when (an object or person) has been previously encountered.
I've seen him before, but I can't quite place where.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(transitive) To arrange for or to make (a bet).
I placed ten dollars on the Lakers beating the Bulls.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
(transitive) To recruit or match an appropriate person for a job, or a home for an animal for adoption, etc.
They phoned hoping to place her in the management team.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.
Here is the place appointed.
What place can be for usWithin heaven's bound?
The word place has sometimes a more confused sense, and stands for that space which any body takes up; and so the universe is a place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country.
Are you native of this place?

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling.
Men in great place are thrice servants.
I know my place as I would they should do theirs.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied).

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A definite position or passage of a document.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Reception; effect; - implying the making room for.
My word hath no place in you.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; - usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The position of first, second, or third at the finish, esp. the second position. In betting, to win a bet on a horse for place it must, in the United States, finish first or second, in England, usually, first, second, or third.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position; to surround with particular circumstances or relations in life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life; as, in whatever sphere one is placed.
Place such over them to be rulers.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place money in a bank.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
To determine or announce the place of at the finish. Usually, in horse racing only the first three horses are placed officially.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A point located with respect to surface features of some region;
This is a nice place for a picnic

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Any area set aside for a particular purpose;
Who owns this place?
The president was concerned about the property across from the White House

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
An abstract mental location;
He has a special place in my thoughts
A place in my heart
A political system with no place for the less prominent groups

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another;
Can you go in my stead?
Took his place
In lieu of

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Where you live at a particular time;
Deliver the package to my home
He doesn't have a home to go to
Your place or mine?

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by a physical object;
He put the lamp back in its place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Proper or designated social situation;
He overstepped his place
The responsibilities of a man in his station
Married above her station

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane);
He booked their seats in advance
He sat in someone else's place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Proper or appropriate position or location;
A woman's place is no longer in the kitchen

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
A public square with room for pedestrians;
They met at Elm Plaza
Grosvenor Place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
An item on a list or in a sequence;
In the second place
Moved from third to fifth position

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Place somebody in a particular situation or location;
He was placed on probation

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Assign a location to;
The company located some of their agents in Los Angeles

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Take a place in a competition; often followed by an ordinal;
Jerry came in third in the Marathon

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Identify the location or place of;
We localized the source of the infection

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Finish second or better in a horse or dog race;
He bet $2 on number six to place

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 14, 2023
Place
Place can be an area used for a particular purpose;
This Place is reserved for VIP guests.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 20, 2023
Place
Place can refer to a dwelling or home;
My Place is just a few blocks away.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Place
Place indicates a particular situation;
You have a special Place in my heart.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
Place
Place can be a point in an order or series;
She finished the race in first Place.

Harlon Moss
Oct 20, 2023
Place
Place can imply an occasion or opportunity;
This is not the Place to discuss politics.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 20, 2023
FAQs
Can one Location host multiple Places?
Yes, different groups can ascribe different cultural or emotional meanings to the same Location, creating multiple "Places."

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Is a Location always tangible?
Generally, yes, as it refers to a physical point or area, but it can also represent virtual spaces in digital contexts.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Does the meaning of Place vary between individuals?
Yes, Place is subjective and varies based on personal experiences and emotions connected to it.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Are Location and Place interchangeable in conversation?
Sometimes, but Location is more specific, while Place has a broader, more subjective meaning.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can a Place be without a specific Location?
Conceptually, yes. "Place" can refer to a non-specific area or refer to an idea or situation, not just a physical Location.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can a Location and a Place refer to the same physical area?
Yes, but Location refers to the geographical coordinates, while Place includes emotional and cultural associations.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Is Location more scientific than Place?
Yes, Location is based on factual, geographical data, whereas Place is a humanistic concept.

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Can virtual environments have Locations and Places?
Yes, in digital spaces, "Location" can refer to data points, while "Place" can refer to the meaning users ascribe to these digital spaces.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Does everyone have the same emotional connection to a Place?
No, emotional connections to a Place are individual and based on personal experiences.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Why is the concept of Place important in sociology?
Place involves social attachments and cultural significance, key factors in understanding societal behavior.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can a Place change over time?
Absolutely, as human experiences and societal values evolve, the significance of a Place can change.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Do maps show Locations or Places?
Maps show Locations; however, Places are understood by the cultural and emotional significance we attach to these Locations.

Sara Rehman
Nov 05, 2023
Is a Location fixed?
Yes, a Location represents a fixed point or area, while the interpretation of a Place can vary.

Sara Rehman
Nov 05, 2023
Does the language spoken change the understanding of Location and Place?
It can, as different languages might encapsulate different cultural meanings and nuances about Location and Place.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can fictional works create Places?
Yes, writers can create fictional Places with rich context and emotional connections, even without real-world Locations.

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
How do human experiences transform a Location into a Place?
Through emotional, cultural, historical, and personal engagements with the Location.

Janet White
Nov 05, 2023
Can animals create Places, or is it uniquely human?
Animals have territories (Locations), but the concept of Place, with cultural and emotional significance, is human.

Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Why is Location important in business?
Location determines accessibility, presence in markets, logistical needs, and customer demographics.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
How does geography study Locations?
By examining physical coordinates, terrain, climate, and how these factors influence human activity.

Sara Rehman
Nov 05, 2023
How does history affect a Place?
Historical events add layers of meaning, heritage, and significance to a Place.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
