1
: involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole
2
: involving, relating to, or applicable to every member of a class, kind, or group
the general equation of a straight line
3
: not confined by specialization or careful limitation
a general outline
4
: belonging to the common nature of a group of like individuals : generic
the general characteristics of a species
5
a
: applicable to or characteristic of the majority of individuals involved : prevalent
the general opinion
b
: concerned or dealing with universal rather than particular aspects
6
: relating to, determined by, or concerned with main elements rather than limited details
bearing a general resemblance to the original
7
: holding superior rank or taking precedence over others similarly titled
the general manager
1
: something (such as a concept, principle, or statement) that involves or is applicable to the whole
2
3
archaic
: the general public : people
4
a
b
: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps who ranks above a lieutenant general and whose insignia is four stars compare admiral
Examples of general in a Sentence
Adjective
They have issued a general warning.
The general consensus is that we should go ahead.
The witness was able to provide a very general description of the thief.
She began her talk with some general observations about the state of the industry.
The book provides a good general introduction to the subject.
My concerns are all general—nothing specific.
The details of the new plan are different, but it's based on the same general concept.
My general impression was that things were going well.
They were found in the same general area.
I'm going in the general direction of the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
The country’s powerful military is run by the general Asim Munir, known for his hardline stance on India.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Tickets to see the alt-pop singer-songwriter will be available through a presale starting at 10 a.m. local time May 14 and a general on sale at 10 a.m. local time May 16 via Lorde’s website.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for general
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
As for the state of the market in regard to the model in general, an example of a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet—with coachwork by Castegna—sold for $4.515 million at Gooding & Company’s 2023 Pebble Beach Auctions.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 May 2025
The country’s powerful military is run by the general Asim Munir, known for his hardline stance on India.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Noun
During a call, held at 3:35 p.m. local time, a ceasefire agreement was reached, according to India’s director general of military operations, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
—Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Tickets to see the alt-pop singer-songwriter will be available through a presale starting at 10 a.m. local time May 14 and a general on sale at 10 a.m. local time May 16 via Lorde’s website.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for general
Cite this Entry
“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
general
1 of 2 adjective
gen·er·al
ˈjen-(ə-)rəl 
1
: involving, applying to, or affecting the whole : not local or partial
a general election
the general body of citizens
2
: relating to or covering all instances
a general conclusion
3
: not specific or in detail
a general outline
4
: common to many
the general custom here
5
: not special : not specialized
a general store
6
: of top rank
general manager
general
2 of 2 noun
: a military officer with a rank above that of a colonel
especially
: an officer with the rank just above that of a lieutenant general
Medical Definition
general
adjective
gen·er·al
ˈjen-(ə-)rəl
1
: not confined by specialization or careful limitation
a general surgeon
2
: belonging to the common nature of a group of like individuals
the general characteristics of a species
3
: involving or affecting practically the entire body or organism : not local
general infirmity
Legal Definition
general
adjective
gen·er·al
ˈjen-rəl, ˈje-nə-
1
: involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole
2
: involving, relating to, or applicable to every member of a class, kind, or group
3
: not confined by specialization or limitation
4
: relating to, determined by, or concerned with main elements rather than limiting details
5
: holding superior rank or taking precedence over others similarly titled
the general manager
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