local time

American

noun

the time based on the meridian through a specific place, as a city, in contrast to that of the time zone within which the place is located; the time in a specific place as compared to that of another place to the east or west.

local time British

noun

the time in a particular region or area expressed with reference to the meridian passing through it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of local time

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Benfica's win against Bayern Munich in Charlotte was played at 15:00 local time in sweltering 36C conditions.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

At around 23:40 local time on Sunday, shortly after Air Canada flight AC8646 had landed from Montreal, it collided with a firefighting vehicle on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

By setting “BTS the Comeback Live: Arirang” at 8 p.m. local time, this allows viewers worldwide to keep the March 21 appointment as they tune in at odd hours.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

March 4 at 5:02 p.m local time, to be precise.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

News of the successful trade reached the White House a little before 3:00 a.m., local time.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023