local

[loh-kuhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by place or position in space; spatial.

2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or restricted to a particular place or particular places.

   a local custom.

3. pertaining to a city, town, or small district rather than an entire state or country.

   local transportation.

4. stopping at most or all stations.

   a local train.

5. pertaining to or affecting a particular part or particular parts, as of a physical system or organism.

   a local disease.

6. Medicine/Medical.,  (of anesthesia or an anesthetic) affecting only a particular part or area of the body, without concomitant loss of consciousness, as distinguished from general anesthesia.

noun

1. a local train, bus, etc.

2. a newspaper item of local interest.

3. a local branch of a union, fraternity, etc.

4. a local anesthetic.

5. Often locals.

   1. a local person or resident.

      primarily of interest to locals.

   2. a local athletic team.

      the locals versus the state champions.

6. stamp.

7. British Informal.,  a neighborhood pub.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal.,  to travel by or take a local train or the like.

local

/ ˈləʊkəl /

adjective

1. characteristic of or associated with a particular locality or area

2. of, concerned with, or relating to a particular place or point in space

3. med of, affecting, or confined to a limited area or part Compare general systemic

4. (of a train, bus, etc) stopping at all stations or stops

noun

1. a train, bus, etc, that stops at all stations or stops

2. an inhabitant of a specified locality

3. informal,  a pub close to one's home or place of work

4. med short for local anaesthetic

5. an item of local interest in a newspaper

6. a local or regional branch of an association

7. a telephone extension

Other Word Forms

• localness noun
• interlocal adjective
• interlocally adverb
• nonlocal adjective
• nonlocally adverb
• superlocal adjective
• superlocally adverb
• unlocal adjective
• unlocally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of local¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word locālis. See locus, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of local¹

C15: via Old French from Late Latin locālis, from Latin locus place, _locus

Example Sentences

South Africa's world-famous Kruger National Park could become known by a new name if some local politicians have their way.

Read more on BBC

Federal authorities said the deployment was done to quell demonstrations sparked by sweeping raids on undocumented migrants, but local and state leaders called it an unnecessary escalation of force.

Read more on Barron's

A local television producer, who holds US citizenship, was arrested by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations on Chicago's North Side, her employer WGN said.

Read more on Barron's

“Our member cardrooms will continue to support good jobs, vital public services, and local economies across California while upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and compliance.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Beutner would come to the race with a wide range of job experiences — the dog-eat-dog world of finance, the struggling journalism industry and the messy world of local government.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• provincial 
• regional