The meaning of GENERAL is involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole. How to use general in a sentence.

GENERAL meaning: 1. involving or relating to most or all people, things, or places, especially when these are…. Learn more.

Since the higher ranks of General of the Army and General of the Air Force have been reserved for significant wartime use only (in modern times were recreated for World War II), the rank of …

1. of, pertaining to, or affecting all persons or things belonging to a group, category, or system: a general meeting of members; a general amnesty. 2. of, pertaining to, or true of such persons …

General comes from the French word générale, which means "common to all people," but we use it for more than just people. You might inquire about the general habits of schoolchildren, or …

Sep 24, 2025 · General Polk stated, with all respect to General Bragg’s great abilities in the direction of organization and discipline, that he had been wanting in the higher elements of …

considering or dealing with overall characteristics, universal aspects, or important elements, esp. without considering all details or specific aspects: general instructions; a general description; a …

There are 37 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word general, nine of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

GENERAL definition: of or relating to all persons or things belonging to a group or category. See examples of general used in a sentence.

A general is a senior officer in the armed forces, usually in the army. He rose through the ranks to become a general.