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

Understanding the Context

involving or relating to most or all people, things, or places, especially when these are…. Synonyms: general, common, universal These adjectives mean belonging to, relating to, or affecting the whole: the general welfare; a common enemy; universal military conscription. 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 the general … There are 37 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word general, nine of which are labelled obsolete.

Key Insights

See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. To command as a general; marshal.