commonwealth

[ kom-uh n-welth ]

/ ˈkɒm ənˌwɛlθ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR commonwealth ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(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.

the Commonwealth. Commonwealth of Nations.

(initial capital letter) a federation of states: the Commonwealth of Australia.

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

(initial capital letter) English History. 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.

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

any group of persons united by some common interest.

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

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

Obsolete. the public welfare.

Origin of commonwealth

1375–1425; late Middle English commun welthe

Words nearby commonwealth

commonly, commonplace, commonplace book, commons, commonweal, commonwealth, commonwealth day, commonwealth of england, commonwealth of independent states, commonwealth of nations, commorancy

Definition for commonwealth (2 of 2)

Commonwealth of Nations

noun

a voluntary association of independent nations and dependent territories linked by historical ties (as parts of the former British Empire) and cooperating on matters of mutual concern, especially regarding economics and trade.

Also called the Commonwealth. Formerly British Commonwealth, British Commonwealth of Nations.

Example sentences from the Web for commonwealth

Another bombshell: There is no statute of limitations on rape in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything |Liz Seccuro |December 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Swarms of police, gunfire, panic—all foreign to a city known for its quaint, Commonwealth style, still air, and orderliness.

Terrorist Ends Canada’s Innocence |Tim Mak |October 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For years there were no pre-qualifications for an attorney to handle capital cases in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvania’s Lethal Injection Fiasco |Christopher Moraff |September 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
His first novel, Red Earth and Pouring Rain (1995), won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for best first book.

Vikram Chandra Is A Novelist Who's Obsessed With Writing Computer Code |Jane Ciabattari |August 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard McGinley ruled that the law “unreasonably burdens” the right to vote.

Angry About Ferguson? Oppose Voter ID Laws |Jacob Lupfer |August 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The commonwealth of to-day as well as that of to-morrow demands our aid.

The Arena |Various
You have no vested rights paramount to the rights of the commonwealth.

The Arena |Various
It now remained to be seen whether the three kingdoms could settle down into a united Commonwealth under their new conditions.

A History of England |Charles Oman
Fundamental debates in a Commonwealth must be settled, or the Commonwealth dies.

A History of the United States |Cecil Chesterton
The ‘states’ are now anchored to the past, and the ‘Commonwealth’ must be unwieldy.

Mr. Oseba's Last Discovery |George W. Bell

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (1 of 2)

commonwealth

/ (ˈkɒmənˌwɛlθ) /

noun

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

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

the body politic organized for the general good

a group of persons united by some common interest

obsolete the general good; public welfare

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (2 of 2)

Commonwealth

/ (ˈkɒmənˌwɛlθ) /

noun the Commonwealth

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 Official name: the Commonwealth of Nations

the republic that existed in Britain from 1649 to 1660
the part of this period up to 1653, when Cromwell became Protector

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

Cultural definitions for commonwealth

Commonwealth

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.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

commonwealth

noun

Origin of commonwealth

Words nearby commonwealth

Definition for commonwealth (2 of 2)

noun

Example sentences from the Web for commonwealth

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (2 of 2)

noun the Commonwealth

Cultural definitions for commonwealth

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

commonwealth

noun

Origin of commonwealth

Words nearby commonwealth

Definition for commonwealth (2 of 2)

noun

Words related to commonwealth

Example sentences from the Web for commonwealth

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (1 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for commonwealth (2 of 2)

noun the Commonwealth

Cultural definitions for commonwealth