general assembly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “general assembly” mean?
A formal meeting of all the members of an organization, typically held to discuss policy, make decisions, and receive reports.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal meeting of all the members of an organization, typically held to discuss policy, make decisions, and receive reports.
A large, official gathering that represents the full membership of a body, often the supreme governing or legislative body within an organization (e.g., a company, church, international organization). Most famously refers to the main deliberative body of the United Nations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling conventions follow standard UK/US patterns (e.g., 'organisation' vs 'organization' in surrounding text).
Connotations
Equally formal and institutional in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in formal, political, corporate, and ecclesiastical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “general assembly” in a Sentence
The [ORGANIZATION] held its general assembly.A general assembly was convened to discuss [ISSUE].She addressed the General Assembly on [TOPIC].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “general assembly” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The trustees will general-assemble next quarter.
- The society general-assembles annually.
American English
- The board will general-assemble next quarter.
- The association general-assembles each fall.
adverb
British English
- The motion was passed general-assembly.
American English
- The motion was passed general-assembly.
adjective
British English
- The general-assembly agenda is now published.
- General-assembly procedures are strictly defined.
American English
- The general-assembly agenda is now published.
- General-assembly rules are strictly defined.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The shareholders' general assembly will vote on the merger.
Academic
The study analysed voting patterns in the UN General Assembly.
Everyday
Our housing cooperative's general assembly is next Tuesday.
Technical
The bylaws require a quorum of two-thirds for the general assembly to proceed.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “general assembly”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “general assembly”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “general assembly”
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'We have general assembly' instead of 'a general assembly'). Confusing it with a 'general meeting', which is often less formal and smaller in scope.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Only when it is part of the official title of a specific body (e.g., the United Nations General Assembly, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland). In general reference, it is not capitalised.
A general assembly involves the entire membership of an organisation, while a board meeting is for a smaller, elected or appointed group of directors or governors who manage the organisation between general assemblies.
Rarely. The term is strongly institutional. It would sound unusual to use it for, say, a crowd in a square unless they were formally convened as representatives of a larger body.
In both British and American English, the primary stress is on the second syllable of 'assembly': uh-SEM-blee. The 'a' is a schwa sound.
A formal meeting of all the members of an organization, typically held to discuss policy, make decisions, and receive reports.
General assembly is usually formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To take the floor at the General Assembly”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GENERAL = all members, ASSEMBLY = coming together. A 'General Assembly' is where everyone comes together.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ORGANIZATION IS A BODY (with the general assembly as its 'voice' or 'decision-making mind').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of a general assembly?