local option

American  

noun

1. a right of choice exercised by a minor political division, as a county, especially as to allowing the sale of liquor.

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local option British  

noun

1. (esp in Scotland, New Zealand, and the US) the privilege of a municipality, county, etc, to determine by referendum whether a particular activity, esp the sale of liquor, shall be permitted there

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Etymology

Origin of local option

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Brussels hopes it could provide an alternative local option for any payments in shops or online since people could easily pay, just like other systems, using a card, an app or via their banking app.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

Fife Council said it was working to explore other options to keep the family together until a more local option becomes available.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2023

But the group is particularly set against the local option in HB 1628, which would affect sales under $5 million, Gorton said.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 10, 2023

It took courageous and farsighted judges to stand up and say that civil rights are not dispensed in our country by local option.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2021

In a local option campaign the influence of the Larger Parish made itself felt in an effective way for the banishment of the saloon.

From The Making of a Country Parish by Harlow S.