local

adjective

lo·cal | \ˈlō-kəl

Definition of local

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : characterized by or relating to position in space : having a definite spatial form or location

2a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place : not general or widespread

b : of, relating to, or applicable to part of a whole

3a : 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

noun

Definition of local (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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 More Example Sentences Learn More about local

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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 system called Threat Extinguisher, alerts students and local authorities once a can of pepper spray has been removed from its base, WFMJ explained. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "Ohio School District to Install Pepper Spray “Threat Extinguisher” System," 13 July 2018 Any steep reduction, or outright suspension, of U.S. film imports could easily push China's annual box office growth into the red while also hurting local distributors and exhibitors, many of which are still aggressively expanding. — Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, "Will Hollywood Get Caught in Trump's China Trade War Crossfire?," 13 July 2018 Defining his approach Seasonal and local, definitely. — Kristine M. Kierzek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Blind Horse executive chef pursued his art, until culinary interests called," 9 July 2018 If all politics is local, then what the heck is Mayor Globe-trotter doing in China? — John Kass, chicagotribune.com, "For Mayor Globe-trotter, it's the money that matters," 13 July 2018 Those rarefied club grounds, as photographer David Abrahams reveals with his attentive lens, become a meeting place for the young and the old, the professional the the amateur, and the tourist and the local. — David Abrahams, Vogue, "At a Wimbledon Full of Unprecedented Twists and Turns, Scenes From On and Off the Court," 13 July 2018 Trammel is the newest commitment in a very local '20 class for the Norse. — Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "Recruiting Trail: Lakota East's Trammel picks NKU soccer," 13 July 2018 If all of the above seem too local (and France seems too far), make the trip to Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery, 8650 Mackall Road in St. Leonard, for an afternoon celebration. — Anna Muckerman, baltimoresun.com, "Taste France in Baltimore with these Bastille Day specials and events," 9 July 2018 After being optioned back to the Sky Sox on Thursday, Orf remained here and basically was a tourist, seeing the local sites with girlfriend Ashley Estrada. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers place Thames, Guerra on DL, activate Suter, recall Orf and Wilkerson from minors," 14 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Yet city officials have done a far more thorough job of clamping down on the business than most locals expected. — The Economist, "In China, sex work is being pushed back into the shadows," 5 July 2018 But a large metal object that appeared at Corolla has locals stumped, leading to all kinds of wild speculation. — Mark Price, charlotteobserver, "Aliens? Russians? Who owns the mysterious object that washed up on NC Outer Banks?," 25 June 2018 The stadium, which locals joke resembles an air filter from an old Lada car, is surrounded by water from two sides. — Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, "Peeking Around Corners in the World Cup’s Provincial Cities," 14 July 2018 The beach, which is accessible only by walking down Gate Rd. off Highway 1 south of Lobitos, had been open to surfers and locals for generations and was prized for its dagger-like rock arch and dramatic cliffs. — SFChronicle.com, "5 hidden beaches around Half Moon Bay," 12 July 2018 While many in the community sympathize with the Hammonds, most locals wanted the Bundys out. — Jake Bullinger, Outside Online, "Trump’s Pardon Condones Western Rebellion," 12 July 2018 The city has tried to cope with the crowds by closing some streets to all but locals on weekends and running buses to nearby Griffith Observatory. — Gerry Smith And Christopher Palmeri, BostonGlobe.com, "Traffic-snarling selfies spur plan for tram to Hollywood sign," 11 July 2018 Rest assured, locals endorse the experience as an authentic, unmissable part of any trip to Dublin. — Todd Plummer, Vogue, "A Perfect Weekend Away in Dublin," 11 July 2018 And since so many locals had a newfound fear of the sea and its unpredictability after the earthquake, these piers, so close to shore, seemed a safer alternative to boats. — David Farley, WSJ, "Where to Feast on Italy’s Freshest Seafood? These Historic Piers," 10 July 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.