(See General Average.) General Average. A contribution made by all parties concerned in a sea venture toward a loss which has been sustained by the voluntary sacrifice on the part of the master of the property of some of the parties in the interest and for the benefit of all. It is called general average because it falls upon the entire ship's cargo and freight at risk, and which has been saved by the sacrifice. Particular average signifies the partial loss or damage which has happened to the ship, cargo, or freight in consequence of some unavoidable accident, and it is either borne by the individual owners or their insurers.