Final answer:
A local variable is declared within a function or a block and is only accessible within that specific region. It goes out of scope and cannot be accessed once the function or block concludes. Statements outside cannot access a local variable.
Step-by-step explanation:
A local variable is a type of variable that is declared within a function or a block and is only accessible within that specific function or block where it's defined. Statements outside of this region cannot access a local variable. Moreover, once the function or block finishes executing, the local variable goes out of scope, meaning its value is no longer retained and it cannot be accessed.
An example of a local variable is when you define a variable within a function in a programming language such as Python:
def example_function():
print(local_var) # Not accessible, would raise an error
In this example, local_var is a local variable that is only accessible within example_function. Attempting to access it outside of the function results in an error because it is out of the scope of the function where it was declared.