Definition of "general" in English

adjective

1. Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.

2. (sometimes postpositive) Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.

3. Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.

4. Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.

5. Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.

6. Not of a specific class; miscellaneous.

   • general goods

noun

1. (military) The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.

2. A great strategist or tactician.

   • Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.

3. (now rare) A general fact or proposition; a generality.

   • We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.

4. (Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.

5. (nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.

6. (colloquial, now historical) A general servant; a maid-of-all-work.

7. (countable) A general anesthetic.

8. (uncountable) General anesthesia.

9. (uncountable, insurance) The general insurance industry.

   • I work in general.

10. (xiangqi) A xiangqi piece that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.

verb

1. To lead (soldiers) as a general.

adverb

1. (obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.