common good

American  

noun

1. the advantage or benefit of all people in society or in a group.

   In spite of our differences, we shall work for the common good.

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common good British  

noun

1. the part of the property of a Scottish burgh, in the form of land or funds, that is at the disposal of the community

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Etymology

Origin of common good

First recorded in 1350–1400

Example Sentences

But his morality is not guided by ethics, humanism or respect for the common good.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026

There was an underlying trust that the U.S. wouldn’t simply serve its own interests but would uphold its obligation to preserve and strengthen the international financial system for the common good.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

At my installation Mass, one of the strongest moments of applause came when I spoke about working with all people of goodwill for the common good.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

A lot of them just retired a couple of years ago, and they contributed to the common good.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

To this day, for Indigenous peoples the land and its resources are “home” and exist for the common good of the people who share it.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz