Definitions for Commonwealth
ˈkɒm ənˌwɛlθcom·mon·wealth

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. commonwealthnoun

   the official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico)

2. state, nation, country, land, commonwealth, res publica, body politicnoun

   a politically organized body of people under a single government

   "the state has elected a new president"; "African nations"; "students who had come to the nation's capitol"; "the country's largest manufacturer"; "an industrialized land"

3. commonwealthnoun

   a world organization of autonomous states that are united in allegiance to a central power but are not subordinate to it or to one another

4. democracy, republic, commonwealthnoun

   a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Wiktionary(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. commonwealthnoun

   A form of government, named for the concept that everything that is not owned by specific individuals or groups is owned collectively by everyone in the governmental unit, as opposed to a state, where the state itself owns such things.

2. commonwealthnoun

   Approximately, a republic.

   May 19, 1649 Be it declared and enacted by this present Parliament and by the Authoritie of the same That the People of England and of all the Dominions and Territoryes thereunto belonging are and shall be and are hereby constituted, made, established, and confirmed to be a Commonwealth and free State And shall from henceforth be Governed as a Commonwealth and Free State by the supreame Authoritie of this Nation, the Representatives of the People in Parliam[ent] and by such as they shall appoint and constitute as Officers and Ministers under them for the good of the People and that without any King or House of Lords. Act of the Long Parliament.

3. Commonwealthnoun

   The Commonwealth of Nations, a loose confederation of nations based around the former British Empire.

4. Commonwealthnoun

   Australia, the Commonwealth of Australia,

   Mr. Martin was found guilty of defrauding the Commonwealth by making false welfare claims.

5. Commonwealthnoun

   Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky,

6. Commonwealthnoun

   Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

7. Commonwealthnoun

   Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

8. Commonwealthnoun

   Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia,

9. Etymology: Originally "common-wealt" or "common weal". From 15th century, a compound of common (in the sense "public") and wealth (in the old sense "well-being"). Expanded in the 17th century to mean "a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people; a republic or democratic state." (OED)

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Commonweal, Commonwealthnoun

   Etymology: from common and weal, or wealth.

   1. A polity; an established form of civil life.

   Two foundations bear up publick societies; the one inclination, whereby all men desire sociable life; the other an order agreed upon, touching the manner of their union in living together: the latter is that which we call the law of a commonweal. Richard Hooker.

   It was impossible to make a commonweal in Ireland, without settling of all the estates and possessions throughout the kingdom. John Davies, on Ireland.

   A continual parliament would but keep the commonweal in tune, by preserving laws in their vigour. Charles I .

   There is no body in the commonwealth of learning who does not profess himself a lover of truth. John Locke.

   2. The publick; the general body of the people.

   Such a prince,
   So kind a father of the commonweal. William Shakespeare, Henry IV.

   Their sons are well tutored by you: you are a good member of the commonwealth. William Shakespeare, Love’s Labour Lost.

   3. A government in which the supreme power is lodged in the people; a republick.

   Did he, or do yet any of them, imagine
   The gods would sleep to such a Stygian practice,
   Against that commonwealth which they have founded. Johnson.

   Commonwealths were nothing more, in their original, but free cities; though sometimes, by force of orders and discipline, they have extended themselves into mighty dominions. William Temple.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Commonwealthnoun

   a state; a body politic consisting of a certain number of men, united, by compact or tacit agreement, under one form of government and system of laws

2. Commonwealthnoun

   the whole body of people in a state; the public

3. Commonwealthnoun

   specifically, the form of government established on the death of Charles I., in 1649, which existed under Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, ending with the abdication of the latter in 1659

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Commonwealth

   Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic". More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations. Most notably, the Commonwealth of Nations, an association primarily of former members of the British Empire, is often referred to as simply "the Commonwealth".

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. commonwealth

   Song lyrics by commonwealth -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by commonwealth on the Lyrics.com website.

Etymology and Origins(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Commonwealth

   In theatrical parlance, a sharing out of the proceeds of the week’s performances after all expenses have been deducted. This generally happens when the manager has decamped with the entire takings, and left his company stranded.

Matched Categories

1. • Political System
   • Political Unit
   • State
   • World Organization

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Commonwealth' in Nouns Frequency: #2043

How to pronounce Commonwealth?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Commonwealth in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Commonwealth in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Commonwealth in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Commonwealth in a Sentence

1. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe:

   My administration is committed to making Virginia an open and welcoming Commonwealth, while also ensuring the safety of all of our citizens. Mr. Falwell’s rash and repugnant comments detract from both of those crucial goals.

2. Liz Mair Stephen Huffman:

   It's not everyday a Kentucky U.S. senator announces a run for the presidency, should be a historic day for the commonwealth.

3. Fox News:

   Historically, Democrats are more likely to vote by mail than Republicans. Therefore, Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision could impact thousands of votes for Democrats across the Commonwealth.

4. Elizabeth Perrin:

   Glenn Youngkin's victory showcases the Commonwealth's desire to elect a public servant instead of a political servant, what we have seen is the importance of family values and parental rights in our education system.

5. Glenn Youngkin:

   The vote in Southwest Virginia counts more than any vote in the entire commonwealth of Southwest Virginia.

Popularity rank by frequency of use