Meaning 'general' or 'universal' — indicating something that applies broadly rather than to a specific case.
一般に言って、昼間は夜より気温が高い。
Generally speaking, daytime temperatures are higher than at night.
一般の人はその専門用語を知らないことが多い。
Ordinary people often don't know that technical terminology.
その考え方は多くの文化で一般的である。
That way of thinking is common in many cultures.
Meaning 'ordinary' or 'average' — not special or notable. When referring to people, it can mean non-celebrities or the general public.
この商品は一般家庭向けに作られている。
This product is made for ordinary households.
映画の舞台挨拶には一般客も参加できる。
General audience members can also attend the movie's stage greeting.
An archaic usage meaning 'the same' or 'no different'.
古い書き言葉では、一部の表現が『一般』の意味で用いられることがある。
In older written language, some expressions are used with the meaning 'the same' (as in this archaic sense).