general-purpose
adjective
gen·er·al-pur·pose
ˈjen-rəl-ˈpər-pəs 
ˈje-nə-
: suitable to be used for two or more basic purposes
Examples of general-purpose in a Sentence
a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs
Recent Examples on the Web
These models open the door to general-purpose robots that can adapt to various tasks, environments and industries with significantly less manual programming.
—
Ashutosh Saxena, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
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Ashutosh Saxena, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But economic history tells us that even the most transformative technologies, which economists refer to as general-purpose technologies, can’t be exploited to maximum effect until infrastructure, skills, and products that can complement them are developed.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Coloma has narrow, unprotected bike lanes, two general-purpose travel lanes in each direction, plus a center turning lane.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Choose a general-purpose, balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it approximately once a week when watering, diluting it in a watering can.
3.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for general-purpose
Cite this Entry
“General-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/general-purpose. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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