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• commonwealth
  commonwealth

  noun

  a group of sovereign states and their dependencies associated by their own choice and linked with common objectives and interests.
• Commonwealth
  Commonwealth

  noun

  an association of sovereign states, almost all of which were at some time dependencies of the UK. All member states recognize the reigning British sovereign as Head of the Commonwealth

commonwealth

American  

[kom-uhn-welth] / ˈkɒm ənˌwɛlθ /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) a group of sovereign states and their dependencies associated by their own choice and linked with common objectives and interests.

   the British Commonwealth.

2. the Commonwealth. Commonwealth of Nations.

3. (initial capital letter) a federation of states.

   the Commonwealth of Australia.

4. (initial capital letter) a self-governing territory associated with the U.S.: official designation of Puerto Rico.

5. (initial capital letter) the English government from the abolition of the monarchy in 1649 until the establishment of the Protectorate in 1653, sometimes extended to include the restoration of Charles II in 1660.

6. (initial capital letter) the official designation (rather than “State”) of four states of the U.S.: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

7. any group of persons united by some common interest.

8. the whole body of people of a nation or state; the body politic.

9. a state in which the supreme power is held by the people; a republican or democratic state.

10. Obsolete. the public welfare.

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Commonwealth ¹ British  

/ ˈkɒmənˌwɛlθ /

noun

1. Official name: the Commonwealth of Nations.  an association of sovereign states, almost all of which were at some time dependencies of the UK. All member states recognize the reigning British sovereign as Head of the Commonwealth

2. 1. the republic that existed in Britain from 1649 to 1660

   2. the part of this period up to 1653, when Cromwell became Protector

3. the official designation of Australia, four states of the US (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia), and Puerto Rico

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commonwealth ² British  

/ ˈkɒmənˌwɛlθ /

noun

1. the people of a state or nation viewed politically; body politic

2. a state or nation in which the people possess sovereignty; republic

3. the body politic organized for the general good

4. a group of persons united by some common interest

5. obsolete the general good; public welfare

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Commonwealth Cultural  

1. A government established in Britain and Ireland in 1649, after the execution of King Charles I. It was in the form of a republic, under the leadership of the parliament. Oliver Cromwell soon assumed the supreme power in the Commonwealth and was given the title Lord Protector. After Cromwell's death in 1658, the Commonwealth quickly lost power, and the Restoration of the monarchy followed in 1660.

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Etymology

Origin of commonwealth

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English commun welthe; equivalent to common ( def. ) + wealth ( def. )

Explanation

A commonwealth refers to any group of people organized under a single government, particularly a republic. If you live in the United States of America, you live in a commonwealth. Comprised of the roots common, meaning "belonging to all," and wealth, meaning "happiness or riches," the word commonwealth originally referred to the government of England from 1649 to 1660. Nowadays, a commonwealth has come to mean any government in which all people involved have a say, or a loose formation of nations with a shared loyalty. It is also the official designation of a few states including, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and some U.S. territories.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

commonwealth Commonwealth

That means this case is far from over, with plenty of options—and questions— remaining about Clancy’s fate—and if and how the commonwealth of Massachusetts will try her again.

From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2026

A commonwealth may be unlikely, but Chen, like some in Taiwan, believes it is possible to embrace more than one identity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

From there the King and Queen will visit Virginia, before heading to the commonwealth country of Bermuda.

From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2026

So people don’t hear about the bills she actually did sign — legislation to lower energy costs, strengthen schools, make housing more affordable and attract billions in business investment to the commonwealth.

From Salon ● Apr. 15, 2026

On November 15, 1935, the United States designated the Philippines as a commonwealth.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Markets are heavily pricing in a 25-basis-point increase, said Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Harry Ottley, in line with the bank’s view.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

“That’s four total measles-associated deaths in our Commonwealth and the first Pennsylvania has seen in 35 years,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a post on social media Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Hunter Bell has won three international titles this year, including the world indoor 1500m, Commonwealth Games 800m and European 1500m, but never looked like threatening the top three in Brussels.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

He is also a six‑time world champion and won mixed team relay gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

Commonwealth Pier is currently overwhelmed with the disease, and new cases are being transferred to Chelsea Naval Hospital.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Related Words

• federation
• society