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 ( def 22 ).
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

Derived Forms

• ˈlocalness, noun

Other Words From

• local·ness noun
• inter·local adjective
• inter·local·ly adverb
• non·local adjective noun
• non·local·ly adverb
• super·local adjective
• super·local·ly adverb
• un·local adjective
• un·local·ly 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

Israel's intelligence agency Mossad is conducting an "active investigation" and suspects a "terrorist incident", it said, while local authorities confirmed a search operation is under way.

From BBC

For Chambers, who had picked up the endorsement of various state and local elected officials, opposition groups seized on a criminal misdemeanor charge from 30 years ago.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a clear pattern of many soft-story apartments being retrofitted after cities pass local ordinances requiring that work.

From Los Angeles Times

As dramatic as local gossip can be, the idea of Ariana Grande filming a Hollywood blockbuster in Ivinghoe proved a step too far for many villagers.

From BBC

At the time, royal sources said she decided to join Prince William to show her "support, empathy and compassion to the local community".

From BBC

Related Words

• resident