general public

American  

[jen-er-uhl puhb-lik] / ˈdʒɛn ər əl ˈpʌb lɪk /

Also the general public

noun

1. all or most people, especially those not part of a specified group; ordinary people as opposed to officials, experts, politicians, etc..

   The books have been warmly received by critics and by the general public.

   This protocol can be adopted by any organization wishing to improve workplace health and safety for employees, customers, and the general public.

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Etymology

Origin of general public

First recorded in 1845–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

general public

“This worry shouldn’t transfer to the general public right now, mainly because there is nothing for you to do and your risk is so low.”

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026

Dame Esther's own words feature in the Daily Mirror, after the note she left her grieving family prior to her death was shared with the general public.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

She described the vets in the study as older and sicker than the general public.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

With any luck, the show’s reporting will alert the general public to how vulnerable it is.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

“You don’t get to explain your intentions, and sometimes the general public misses your true artistry.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• association
• center
• company
• district
• nation
• neighborhood
• people
• public
• society
• state