Insurance. any damage or loss to a ship or its cargo voluntarily sustained, as freight jettisoned in a storm, by all parties to a voyage (distinguished from particular average).
Abbreviation: G.A.
Origin
1690-1700
Examples from the web for general average
The data following illustrate the general average expectancy of a wellbalanced operation and may be used as a guide.
British Dictionary definitions for general average
general average
noun
1.
(insurance) loss or damage to a ship or its cargo that is shared among the shipowners and all the cargo owners GA Compare particular average