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Location vs. Venue: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 29, 2023
A location is a specific place or position; a venue is a location specifically designed or equipped for hosting events.

Key Differences

A location can refer to any geographical place or setting, such as a country, city, or even a specific address. A venue, however, has a more specialized connotation, referring to a location specifically intended for events, performances, or activities.
The term location is often used in a general sense, covering a broad range of places from a room in a building to an entire continent. Venue, on the other hand, is much more specific and is commonly associated with a site for particular uses, like concerts, meetings, or sports events.
When talking about location, the focus is often on the geographical or spatial aspects, such as coordinates or proximity to other places. With venue, the emphasis is usually on the facilities and accommodations available for the intended function of that space.
Using location in a sentence doesn't necessarily imply any specific purpose; it's often neutral. In contrast, using the term venue instantly suggests that the place is or will be used for some sort of organized activity or event.
Location is a term commonly used in many different contexts, including science, technology, and everyday language. Venue, however, is mostly used in the context of social gatherings, business events, and cultural activities, indicating its specialized function.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

A specific place
Location for events

Specialization

General
Specific

Contexts of Usage

Various
Events, activities

Focus

Geographical
Functional

Associated Facilities

Not necessarily
Usually
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Location and Venue Definitions

Location

A geographical place.
The location of the mountain is hard to reach.

Venue

A place for concerts or shows.
The concert venue was packed with fans.

Location

A site for a specific activity.
This location is perfect for our camping trip.

Venue

A location for a specific event or meeting.
The conference venue offers several breakout rooms.

Location

A spot within a structure or building.
The location of the meeting room is on the second floor.

Venue

A location for social gatherings or parties.
The wedding venue was beautifully decorated.

Location

A setting in a story or narrative.
The location for the novel is a small, coastal town.

Venue

A site for sports or athletic events.
The stadium is a popular venue for football games.

Location

A point or position in a given space.
The location of the treasure is marked on the map.

Venue

A place for legal proceedings.
The venue for the trial has been changed.

Location

The act or process of locating
Location of the lost hikers took two days.

Venue

The scene or setting in which something takes place; a locale
"that non-cinematic venue of popular nightmares, the discotheque" (P.J. O'Rourke).

Location

A place where something is or could be located; a site.

Venue

A place for large gatherings, as a sports stadium.

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.

Venue

The court where a lawsuit may or should be tried, usually because the cause of action arose in that locality.

Location

A tract of land that has been surveyed and marked off.

Venue

The locality from which a jury may be drawn.

Location

A particular point or place in physical space.

Venue

The locality where a crime is committed.

Location

An act of locating.

Venue

A theater, auditorium, arena, or other area designated for sporting or entertainment events.

Location

(South Africa) An apartheid-era urban area populated by non-white people; township.

Venue

(legal) A neighborhood or near place; the place or county in which anything is alleged to have happened; also, the place where an action is laid, or the district from which a jury comes.

Location

(legal) A leasing on rent.

Venue

(obsolete) A bout; a hit; a turn.

Location

A contract for the use of a thing, or service of a person, for hire.

Venue

(sports) A stadium or similar building in which a sporting competition is held.

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

Venue

(by extension) The place where something happens.
The metalworking forum is not the appropriate venue for this discussion about politics.

Location

(Kenya) An administrative region in Kenya, below counties and subcounties, and further divided into sublocations.

Venue

A neighborhood or near place; the place or county in which anything is alleged to have happened; also, the place where an action is laid.
The twelve men who are to try the cause must be of the same venue where the demand is made.

Location

The act or process of locating.

Venue

A bout; a hit; a turn. See Venew.

Location

Situation; place; locality.

Venue

The scene of any event or action (especially the place of a meeting)

Location

That which is located; a tract of land designated in place.

Venue

In law: the jurisdiction where a trial will be held

Location

A leasing on rent.

Location

A point or extent in space

Location

The act of putting something in a certain place or location

Location

A determination of the location of something;
He got a good fix on the target

FAQs

What does venue mean?

Venue refers to a location specifically designed or equipped for hosting events or activities.

Can a venue be referred to as a location?

Yes, a venue is a type of location specialized for certain uses.

What does location mean?

Location refers to a specific place or position, often described geographically.

Is a venue always indoors?

No, a venue can be indoors or outdoors, depending on the event it's hosting.

Is a location always fixed?

While locations are often fixed, the term can also refer to mobile places, like a moving vehicle.

Can a virtual place be a location?

In digital contexts, virtual places can be referred to as locations.

Can a location be a venue?

Yes, a location can serve as a venue if it is used for a specific event or activity.

Does a venue always have facilities?

Generally, a venue is equipped with facilities suitable for the event it is hosting.

How is location used in technology?

In technology, location often refers to coordinates or addresses in mapping and GPS systems.

Can a location be temporary?

Yes, temporary locations exist for events like pop-up shops or seasonal markets.

Can a virtual place be a venue?

Yes, virtual places can serve as venues for online events.

How is venue different from location in legal terms?

In legal terms, venue refers to the place where a case is heard, emphasizing jurisdiction.

Can one venue have multiple locations?

A venue might have multiple spaces or rooms, but they are generally part of the same overall location.

Is a venue always for public events?

No, a venue can be for private or public events.

Can a venue be temporary?

Yes, some venues are set up temporarily for specific events like fairs or festivals.
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie Carlson
Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.

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