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
Synonyms
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
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
The former general manager of downtown Sacramento’s Punch Bowl Social has sued the entertainment company, claiming he was fired in retaliation for plans to take family leave.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
Based on the discussion, there was a general consensus that the allegations warranted an independent investigation, and legislation to initiate that process is underway.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Governors of six southern states, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, issued a joint statement this week criticizing the UAW and voicing general opposition toward unions.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Several of Chris Grier’s proclivities have become obvious during his tenure as Dolphins general manager.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
In general, Thailand is a pretty informal place, especially given how people eat.
—Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 18 Apr. 2024
Gary Kam, the commission’s general counsel, acknowledged that the law restricted only a small portion of donations.
—Irene Casado Sanchez, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
The general counsel refused to appear before the committee to explain his actions, the report said.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Michael Levenson, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Yes, there were some generals among them, but also rank-and-file prison officials in the village of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Iran, in its first direct attack on Israel, launched a five-hour barrage of drones and missiles, in response to an Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals in a diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, on April 1.
—William Neff, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Iran launched the attack in response to a strike widely blamed on Israel that hit an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month and killed two Iranian generals.
—Tia Goldenberg, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2024
More recently, Tehran blamed Israel for an April 1 airstrike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals, though Israel hasn’t addressed it.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
In December, Israel is believed to have killed Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a top Iranian general, in Damascus.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria to halt that flow of weapons, and said the Iranian general killed in the consulate strike was a key figure in that logistical chain.
—Peter Kenyon, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
In addition, Mohammad Zahedi, one of the generals killed in the April 1 attack, was directly responsible for managing relationships with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Syrian government and Shia militias in that country, and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
Adjective
In an endeavor that can defy logic and prediction, the public consensus has reached a point where new general manager Joe Hortiz dealing his first career selection in order to add draft capital seems to be a foregone conclusion.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
The former general manager of downtown Sacramento’s Punch Bowl Social has sued the entertainment company, claiming he was fired in retaliation for plans to take family leave.
—Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024
Based on the discussion, there was a general consensus that the allegations warranted an independent investigation, and legislation to initiate that process is underway.
—The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024
Governors of six southern states, including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, issued a joint statement this week criticizing the UAW and voicing general opposition toward unions.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
Several of Chris Grier’s proclivities have become obvious during his tenure as Dolphins general manager.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
In general, Thailand is a pretty informal place, especially given how people eat.
—Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 18 Apr. 2024
Gary Kam, the commission’s general counsel, acknowledged that the law restricted only a small portion of donations.
—Irene Casado Sanchez, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024
The general counsel refused to appear before the committee to explain his actions, the report said.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
On Thursday, the United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, also sought to calm tensions in the region.
—Michael Levenson, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Yes, there were some generals among them, but also rank-and-file prison officials in the village of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region.
—TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
Iran, in its first direct attack on Israel, launched a five-hour barrage of drones and missiles, in response to an Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals in a diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria, on April 1.
—William Neff, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Iran launched the attack in response to a strike widely blamed on Israel that hit an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month and killed two Iranian generals.
—Tia Goldenberg, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2024
More recently, Tehran blamed Israel for an April 1 airstrike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals, though Israel hasn’t addressed it.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024
In December, Israel is believed to have killed Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a top Iranian general, in Damascus.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2024
Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria to halt that flow of weapons, and said the Iranian general killed in the consulate strike was a key figure in that logistical chain.
—Peter Kenyon, NPR, 12 Apr. 2024
In addition, Mohammad Zahedi, one of the generals killed in the April 1 attack, was directly responsible for managing relationships with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Syrian government and Shia militias in that country, and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West Bank.
—Javed Ali, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'general.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near general
Cite this Entry
“General.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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