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

The MP also said he regularly read "heart-breaking posts" on local forums from parents in "utter despair" begging for baby food donations to tide them over until the next pay day.

From BBC

Residents in Delhi have reported eye irritations and breathing issues, according to local media.

From BBC

Although the authorities have been blocking food and water, they have temporarily allowed local residents to send some supplies down by rope.

From BBC

Local residents have pleaded with the authorities to assist the miners, but they have refused.

From BBC

"Those people must come out because we have brothers there, we have sons there, the fathers of our kids are there, our children are struggling," local resident Emily Photsoa told AFP.

From BBC

Related Words

• resident