local

adjective lo·cal \ ˈlō-kəl \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

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

See local defined for English-language learners

See local defined for kids

Examples of local in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of local from the Web

Elect to add up to five of our local properties to get your community news added to your feed.

— IndyStar, "Mobile Apps," 15 May 2018
This savory culinary exploration showcases the best food, wine, beer and spirits from local and national chefs and mixologists.

— Courier-Journal Food & Wine Experience, "Savor .Indulge .Enjoy .," 15 May 2018
Availability and effectiveness varies by state; consult your local pest control service.

— wes siler, Outside Online, "Are You Ready for Ticks This Summer?," 14 May 2018
Here's a glance at TV channels, radio listings and game times for local games and national sporting events for May 14-20, 2018.

— corey sheldon, OregonLive.com, "TV channels, radio listings for sports on the air, May 14-20: NBA playoffs, Stanley Cup Playoffs and more," 14 May 2018
Christian Waters of Mims went to a local store to buy his mother Teresa of Titusville flowers.

— kayla o'brien, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Motorcyclist gives out flowers in traffic for Mother's Day in Central Florida," 14 May 2018
The Trump administration has said local departments should control their own affairs.

— NBC News, "Black police chiefs grapple with officers' treatment of young black men," 14 May 2018
First to the local indigenous people, and then to the Spaniards, who attempted mass conversion.

— adam gopnik, The New Yorker, "A Vintner’s Quest to Create a Truly American Wine," 14 May 2018
In part, this reflects local officials' limited knowledge.

— The Courier-Journal, "Archives: 1988 reports on bus safety after the Carrollton crash," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'local.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of local

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

local

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

See local defined for English-language learners

Examples of local in a Sentence

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 of local from the Web

Henry saw a group of locals do that in a restaurant on the last night of her first trip to Italy, decades ago, and never forgot it.

— lauren collins, The New Yorker, "Diana Henry’s Love Affairs with Menus," 7 May 2018
Last year's event, which featured big performances from a number of locals, was run in conditions described by participants as ideally cool.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Flying Pig Marathon set for 20th anniversary running," 4 May 2018
Try Carol & John’s Comic Book Shop, where the day is always a big deal, starting with costumed fans lining up at midnight and an art show full of locals.

— cleveland.com, "20 things to do in Cleveland the weekend of May 3-6," 3 May 2018
Headlining the field of locals are Steve Vickery and Randy Burgess, who will be inducted into the CCA Hall of Fame.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local high school coaches in state Hall of Fame," 2 May 2018
As such, world-class runners can be seen coming across the finish line with a mix of locals just having fun or supporting their favorite charities.

— marty pearl, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon and miniMarathon take over downtown Louisville's streets," 28 Apr. 2018
Chief Operating Officer at LiveNinja, is among a number of locals concerned that Miami has been overhyping itself, prioritizing ideas and buzz ahead over results.

— rob wile, miamiherald, "Where do we go from here? Miami's tech leaders say city needs next startup vision | Miami Herald," 22 Apr. 2018
Get our daily newsletter The appetites of the locals are not the only worry.

— The Economist, "Asia’s appetite for endangered species is relentless," 19 Apr. 2018
None of the travelers had completed the route in its entirety before, and some of the locals were skeptical the team could complete it in the two-week timeframe.

— National Geographic, "How Ultramarathon Runners Took on World's Most Difficult Trail," 18 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of local

1591

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

local Synonyms

Synonyms

native, townie (or towny);

Near Antonyms

excursionist, sightseer, traveler (or traveller);

holidayer, vacationer, vacationist;

LOCAL Defined for English Language Learners

local

adjective

: relating to or occurring in a particular area, city, or town
: located or living nearby
of a bus or train : making all the stops on a route

local

noun

: a person who lives in a particular area, city, or town : a local person
: a train or bus that makes all of the stops along its route
: a local part of a labor union

LOCAL Defined for Kids

local

adjective lo·cal \ ˈlō-kəl \

: of, in, or relating to a particular place

local kids

local business

local news

—

locally

adverb

local

noun

1 : a public vehicle (as a bus or train) that makes all or most stops on its run

2 : a branch (as of a lodge or labor union) in a particular place

Medical Dictionary

local

adjective lo·cal \ ˈlō-kəl \

: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the organism

local inflammation

— compare systemic a

—

locally

play \-kə-lē\ adverb

local

noun

: local anesthetic; also : local anesthesia

Law Dictionary

local

noun lo·cal

: local union

Learn More about local

See words that rhyme with local Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for local Spanish Central: Translation of local Nglish: Translation of local for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of local for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up local? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

local

Examples of local in a Sentence

Recent Examples of local from the Web

Origin and Etymology of local

local

Examples of local in a Sentence

Recent Examples of local from the Web

First Known Use of local

local Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to LOCAL

Related Phrases

LOCAL Defined for English Language Learners

local

local

LOCAL Defined for Kids

local

locally

local

Medical Dictionary

local

locally

local

Law Dictionary

local

Learn More about local

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word