the Commonwealth

noun

1

: a U.S. state

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

the Commonwealth of Kentucky

2

: the countries that were once part of the British Empire

Examples of the Commonwealth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On November 3, the king poked fun at himself, making a self-deprecating joke on his behalf at a dinner for leaders of the Commonwealth. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026

The prime minister and King Charles were both in the Caribbean for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua yesterday, a summit dominated every year by growing calls for slavery reparations. — Harriet Marsden, TheWeek, 4 Nov. 2026

Officials announced Monday that the Commonwealth Nature Initiative had generated more than $200 million in pledges to protect at least 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Prosecution asks for gag order Finally, the Commonwealth asked the judge to impose a gag order in the case to restrict what the defense can say in public. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Rhymes for the Commonwealth

• bridewealth
• health
• stealth
• wealth
• telehealth