general-purpose

adjective

gen·​er·​al-pur·​pose ˈjen-rəl-ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce general-purpose (audio)
ˈje-nə-
: suitable to be used for two or more basic purposes

Examples of general-purpose in a Sentence

a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
GPUs are the general-purpose workhorses of Nvidia and its top competitor, Advanced Micro Devices. Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025 Because generative AI is a general-purpose technology, Puntoni and his colleagues expect usage to reach near-universal levels. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 18 Nov. 2025 Revisiting history Introduced on July 30 this year as a general-purpose humanoid robot, LimX Dynamics had a group of five Oli humanoids dancing in front of an audience at the World Robotics Conference 2025. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025 Running from Westinghouse Boulevard to the I-277/Brookshire Freeway, the I-77 south project will transform the highway into three free general-purpose lanes and two variable toll lanes. Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for general-purpose

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of general-purpose was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general-purpose. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.

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