local

[[t]lo͟ʊk(ə)l[/t]]

♦

locals

1) ADJ: ADJ n Local means existing in or belonging to the area where you live, or to the area that you are talking about.

We'd better check on the match in the local paper...

Some local residents joined the students' protest...

I was going to pop up to the local library.

Derived words:

locally ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV -ed

We've got cards which are drawn and printed and designed by someone locally.

N-COUNT: usu pl, oft the N

The locals are local people.

That's what the locals call the place.

2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Local government is elected by people in one area of a country and controls aspects such as education, housing, and transport within that area.

Education comprises two-thirds of all local council spending.

...the controversial system of local taxation known as the poll tax.

Ant:

national

Derived words:

locally ADV

The curriculum was to be decided locally.

3) N-COUNT: usu sing, usu poss N Your local is a pub which is near where you live and where you often go for a drink. [BRIT, INFORMAL]

The Black Horse is my local.

4) ADJ A local anaesthetic or condition affects only a small area of your body. [MEDICAL]

An injection of local anaesthetic is usually given first to numb the area.