General American is a term used to describe a standard accent of American English that is often perceived as neutral or lacking strong regional characteristics. It is commonly associated with the media, education, and professional settings, making it a widely understood form of speech across the United States. This accent is characterized by specific pronunciation patterns, such as the rhotic "r" sound, where the "r" is pronounced clearly in all positions. General American is often contrasted with regional accents, such as Southern American English or New York City English, which have distinct phonetic features and cultural associations.