1
: characterized by or relating to position in space : having a definite spatial form or location
2
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place : not general or widespread
b
: of, relating to, or applicable to part of a whole
3
a
: primarily serving the needs of a particular limited district
b
of a public conveyance
: making all the stops on a route
4
: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the organism : topical
a local anesthetic
5
: of or relating to telephone communication within a specified area
: a local person or thing: such as
a
: a local public conveyance (such as a train or an elevator)
b
: a local or particular branch, lodge, or chapter of an organization (such as a labor union)
c
British
: a nearby or neighborhood pub
Examples of local in a Sentence
Adjective
We had dinner at a local restaurant.
The police have arrested a local man for the crime.
This is a local shop for local people: we don't get many outsiders here.
She took the local bus.
Noun
He's the president of the union local at the factory.
the truck drivers are members of Local 349 of the Teamsters' Union
Recent Examples on the Web
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
But it is required to obtain state permits to ensure the waste does not contaminate the environment or local water sources.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Nightlife Dillon’s Pub and Grill Dillon's Pub and Grill is a favorite stop among locals after a long day in the sun.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for local
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Regular vaccinations could stay infections Experts across the board recommended keeping up with local flu vaccine schedules as a preventative measure.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
But it is required to obtain state permits to ensure the waste does not contaminate the environment or local water sources.
—Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
In fact, a 2024 report found that Brazilian locals are the friendliest towards foreign visitors, and patients come from around the globe seeking the country's high-quality care with a human side.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Nightlife Dillon’s Pub and Grill Dillon's Pub and Grill is a favorite stop among locals after a long day in the sun.
—Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for local
Cite this Entry
“Local.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
local
1 of 2 adjective
lo·cal
ˈlō-kəl 
1
: of or relating to position in space
2
: relating to a particular place
local news
a local custom
3
: serving the needs of a certain district
local government
4
: involving or affecting only a small part of the body
a local infection
locally
adverb
-kə-lē
local
2 of 2 noun1
: a public vehicle (as a bus or train) that makes all of the stops or most of the stops along its route
2
: a local branch (as of a lodge or labor union)
Medical Definition
local
1 of 2 adjective
lo·cal
ˈlō-kəl
: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the organism
local inflammation
compare systemic sense a
local
2 of 2 noun
: local anesthetic
also
: local anesthesia
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share