1
: characterized by or relating to position in space : having a definite spatial form or location
2
a
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place : not general or widespread
b
: of, relating to, or applicable to part of a whole
3
a
: primarily serving the needs of a particular limited district
b
of a public conveyance
: making all the stops on a route
4
: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the organism : topical
a local anesthetic
5
: of or relating to telephone communication within a specified area
: a local person or thing: such as
a
: a local public conveyance (such as a train or an elevator)
b
: a local or particular branch, lodge, or chapter of an organization (such as a labor union)
c
British
: a nearby or neighborhood pub
Examples of local in a Sentence
Adjective
We had dinner at a local restaurant.
The police have arrested a local man for the crime.
This is a local shop for local people: we don't get many outsiders here.
She took the local bus.
Noun
He's the president of the union local at the factory.
the truck drivers are members of Local 349 of the Teamsters' Union
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Channel 24 answered a need identified by a city study on the local music economy back in 2023.
—Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Restaurants fill with locals, hotel guests, and the occasional visitor from up the coast.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for local
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show current usage.
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Adjective
The abuse allegations were reported to local law enforcement, said Lauren Fisher Flores, the lawyer representing the girl.
—ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Channel 24 answered a need identified by a city study on the local music economy back in 2023.
—Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
What Alkassar, who lives on South Beach, does hope to do is lure not only Miami Beach residents and tourists but locals who have in recent times proved reluctant to cross the bridges from the mainland.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Restaurants fill with locals, hotel guests, and the occasional visitor from up the coast.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for local
Cite this Entry
“Local.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/local. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
local
1 of 2 adjective
lo·cal
ˈlō-kəl 
1
: of or relating to position in space
2
: relating to a particular place
local news
a local custom
3
: serving the needs of a certain district
local government
4
: involving or affecting only a small part of the body
a local infection
locally
adverb
-kə-lē
local
2 of 2 noun1
: a public vehicle (as a bus or train) that makes all of the stops or most of the stops along its route
2
: a local branch (as of a lodge or labor union)
Medical Definition
local
1 of 2 adjective
lo·cal
ˈlō-kəl
: involving or affecting only a restricted part of the organism
local inflammation
compare systemic sense a
local
2 of 2 noun
: local anesthetic
also
: local anesthesia
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