commonwealth

noun

com·​mon·​wealth ˈkä-mən-ˌwelth 

 also  -ˌweltth

1

: a nation, state, or other political unit: such as

a

: one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good

b

: one in which supreme authority is vested in the people

c

: republic

2

: a state of the U.S.

—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia

3

often capitalized : a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S.

—used officially of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands

4

often capitalized : an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)

5

capitalized

a

: the English state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration in 1660

b

: protectorate sense 1b

6

capitalized : a federal union of constituent states

—used officially of Australia

7

archaic : commonweal sense 2

Synonyms

• country
• land
• nation
• sovereignty
• sovranty
• state

Examples of commonwealth in a Sentence

laws that will benefit all the citizens of the commonwealth

Recent Examples on the Web

The commonwealth’s attorney for Stafford County, who took over the case after Biberaj was recused, and a spokesman for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday. —Susan Svrluga, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2023

But alluding to the national impact that Republicans taking full control of the general assembly -- a possibility given the series of close races expected this November -- Youngkin said a winning message in the commonwealth could resonate with voters nationwide. —Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2023

Starting Thursday, adults in Kentucky will finally be able to place bets on sporting events at six facilities across the commonwealth. —The Courier-Journal, 6 Sep. 2023

The four councilors cite states of emergency declared during the COVID-19 pandemic and, recently, by Governor Maura Healey to help the commonwealth address an influx of migrants, which is overwhelming its shelter system. —Daniel Kool, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023

The commonwealth is still politically competitive—and the crucial legislative elections in November have high-stakes implications. —Grace Segers, The New Republic, 25 Aug. 2023

The commonwealth of Virginia is like many states, only meeting for 60 days in even years and 30 days in odd years – though those sessions are often extended by up to 15 days. —Raymond Scheppach, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2023

In 1870, the commonwealth could claim to be the rail capital of the world. —Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023

Maryland and Virginia are expected to compete with the District — though Virginia must first create a football stadium authority to finance the project, and the commonwealth cannot do so until the next General Assembly session begins in January. —Sam Fortier, Washington Post, 27 July 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Kids Definition

commonwealth

noun

com·​mon·​wealth -ˌwelth 

1

: a political unit (as a nation or state)

2

: a state of the U.S.

—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia

Legal Definition

commonwealth

noun

com·​mon·​wealth ˈkä-mən-ˌwelth 

1

: a nation, state, or other political unit: as

a

: one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement by the people for the common good

b

: one in which supreme authority is vested in the people

c

: republic

2

: a state of the U.S.

—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia

3

often capitalized : an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)

4

often capitalized : a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S.

—used officially of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands