general

adjective gen·er·al \ ˈjen-rəl , ˈje-nə- \

Definition of general

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

See general defined for English-language learners

See general defined for kids

Examples of general in a Sentence

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 of general from the Web

Bob Stern, a former Fair Political Practices Commission general counsel, said lawmakers should communicate with their constituents, and spending on mail in nonelection years generally doesn’t bother him.

— Washington Post, "AP Exclusive: California taxpayers fund legislative mailings," 31 Aug. 2017
New Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has been very aggressive since taking over for John Dorsey in July.

— terez a. paylor, kansascity, "Chiefs acquire Cameron Erving in trade with Browns," 30 Aug. 2017
The brainchild of the Texas prison system general manager Marshall Lee Simmons, the prison rodeo began its 50-plus year run in 1931 at Huntsville State Penitentiary.

— mitchel p. roth, Smithsonian, "Desegregation Came Early at the Texas Prison Rodeo," 30 Aug. 2017
The Texas Rangers and general manager Jon Daniels are baseball’s newest villains, at least in the 250 miles that separates Arlington from Houston.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "How were the Rangers caught in relocation flap?," 29 Aug. 2017
Almost five months after the two-year divorce process began, the Brexit discussions have made little headway, interrupted by a British general election as well as the summer.

— jill lawless, The Seattle Times, "Britain looking to push Brexit talks with EU onto trade," 28 Aug. 2017
General admission tickets ($55) are still available for Friday night, but sold out for Saturday.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Annual Labyrinth Masquerade Is Here to Bring Magic and Wonder to Your Workaday Life," 25 Aug. 2017
Trump falsely claimed a general once stopped terrorism by shooting Muslims with pig’s blood.

— politifact, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump Lies About Race and Communities of Color," 23 Aug. 2017
But after months of deliberations with his generals, who have been pushing for a more conventional approach in the region—which is to say, the same general approach the United States has been pursuing in Afghanistan for the last 16 years—

— isobel thompson, vanityfair.com, "With Bannon Gone, Trump Doubles Down in Afghanistan," 21 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'general.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of general

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin generalis, from gener-, genus kind, class — more at kin

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First Known Use: 13th century

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general Synonyms

Synonyms

across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, generic, global, overall, universal

Antonyms

individual, particular

Related Words

all-embracing, broad, broad-gauge (or broad-gauged), broadscale, comprehensive, extensive, inclusionary, overarching, pervasive, sweeping, ubiquitous, wholesale, wide, widespread; aggregate, collective, complete, full, plenary; planetary, worldwide

Near Antonyms

component, constituent; cross-sectional, divisional, fragmentary, partial; local, localized, regional, sectional

general

noun

Definition of general

1 :something (such as a concept, principle, or statement) that involves or is applicable to the whole

2 :superior general

3 archaic :the general public :people

4 a :general officer

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

— in general

:for the most part :generally

In general, things are going as planned.

Recent Examples of general from the Web

A 17-gun salute honors those who held the office of governor in a U.S. territory, as well as military admirals and generals.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "What exactly is a 19-gun salute? Watch today’s tribute to Gov. Andrus," 30 Aug. 2017
Washington and Lee, the argument goes, were both slaveholding Virginia generals who led rebellions against a governing authority.

— littice bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "Hurricane Harvey: Sandbag stations open in St. Charles, St. John parishes," 25 Aug. 2017
Supporters of the Shinawatras accuse the ruling generals of political persecution.

— reuters, Fortune, "4,000 Police Deployed to the Streets of Bangkok Ahead of Yingluck Verdict," 24 Aug. 2017
But Trump, who has fired his FBI chief and lashed out at his attorney general over the Russia probe, appears to expect a particularly personal brand of loyalty.

— greg miller, chicagotribune.com, "CIA keeps wary eye on director Mike Pompeo, an ardent Trump supporter," 24 Aug. 2017
New York’s attorney general is probing whether Exxon lied to investors and the public for almost four decades about the impact of climate change on profits.

— jess shankleman, Bloomberg.com, "Exxon Duped Public Over Climate Concerns, Harvard Research Says," 23 Aug. 2017
A retired four-star Marine Corps general, Kelly spent years commanding troops in Afghanistan.

— author: philip rucker, robert costa, Alaska Dispatch News, "Behind the decision, infighting, stalemate, and finally a bow to the generals," 22 Aug. 2017
As statues and monuments to Confederate soldiers and generals come tumbling down, debate about the practice is going up.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Art, race issues converge in Confederate monument debate," 18 Aug. 2017
There’s never been an attorney general in the history of our state that hasn’t lived in Jefferson City because the law says ‘

— bryan lowry, kansascity, "McCaskill says likely challenger Josh Hawley voted illegally or violated residency rule," 17 Aug. 2017

Origin and Etymology of general

derivative of ¹general

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1550

See Words from the same year

GENERAL Defined for English Language Learners

general

adjective

Definition of general for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or affecting all the people or things in a group : involving or including many or most people
: relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details : not specific
—used to indicate that a description relates to an entire person or thing rather than a particular part

GENERAL Defined for Kids

general

adjective gen·er·al \ ˈje-nə-rəl , ˈjen-rəl \

Definition of general for Students

1 :having to do with the whole :applying to more than just a small area or group

It's a matter of general interest.

2 :not specific or detailed

The book is a good general introduction to football.

3 :involving or including many or most people

Her plans won general acceptance.

4 :not specialized

a general store

general

noun

Definition of general for Students

:a military officer ranking above a colonel

— in general

:for the most part

In general, I like school.

Medical Dictionary

general

adjective gen·er·al \ ˈjen-(ə-)rəl \

medical Definition of general

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

Law Dictionary

general

adjective gen·er·al \ ˈjen-rəl, ˈje-nə- \

legal Definition of general

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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general

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