Global means involving or affecting the entire world. When scientists talk about global climate patterns, they're describing weather systems that span all continents and oceans. A global company operates in many different countries, not just one region. The internet connects people in a global network, making it possible to video chat with someone on the opposite side of the planet.

Think of a globe in your classroom: it shows the whole world at once, not just your city or country. Something global has that same whole-world scope.

You'll often hear the word in phrases like global economy (how countries trade with each other), global citizenship (thinking about your responsibilities to people everywhere), or global reach (the ability to connect with or influence people worldwide). When a song becomes a global hit, people in Tokyo, London, São Paulo, and Nairobi are all listening to it.

The opposite of global is local, which means nearby or in your immediate area. A local business serves your neighborhood, while a global business serves customers everywhere. Most challenges and opportunities today have both local and global dimensions: your school recycling program is local, but reducing waste matters globally.