noun
[ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] ordinary people who are not members of a particular group or organization :
At that time, the general public was / were not aware of the health risks.
The exhibition is not open to the general public.
noun
[ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] ordinary people who are not members of a particular group or organization :
At that time, the general public was / were not aware of the health risks.
The exhibition is not open to the general public.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005