local

1 of 2

adjective

lo·​cal ˈlō-kəl 

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

local

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Synonyms of local

Noun

• cell
• affiliate
• chapter

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

Adjective

The president of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP) said the law is an important step forward, but its long-term success will depend on cooperation between federal, state and local leaders. — Nakell Williams, CBS News, 14 July 2026

The club’s twice-a-month meetings are a labor of love — just one more thing to add on top of studying for Mandarin and psychology exams, prepping for the SAT, and volunteering with local churches and nonprofits. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 July 2026

Noun

In the back unit, a movie played from a projector upstairs; paintings lined the wall, all telling the story of the Miami locals used to know. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

From within a narrow 180-mile-wide path of totality across eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain, a total solar eclipse will briefly turn day into night for lucky locals and intrepid eclipse chasers. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English localle, from Late Latin localis, from Latin locus place — more at stall

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing local

• local anesthesia
• local area network
• local authority
• local celebrity
• local color
• local government
• local option
• local time

Rhymes for local

• cloacal
• focal
• sokol
• vocal
• confocal
• nonlocal
• multifocal
• univocal

Kids 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

-kə-lē

adverb

local

2 of 2 noun

1

: 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

locally

-kə-lē 

adverb

local

2 of 2 noun

: local anesthetic

also : local anesthesia

Legal Definition

local

noun

lo·​cal

: local union