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.

   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)

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.

   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)

3. Commonwealthnoun

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

   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)

4. Commonwealthnoun

   Australia, the Commonwealth of Australia,

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

   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)

5. Commonwealthnoun

   Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky,

   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)

6. Commonwealthnoun

   Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

   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)

7. Commonwealthnoun

   Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

   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)

8. Commonwealthnoun

   Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia,

   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)

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. Orrin Hatch:

   The commonwealth's problems will not be solved overnight.

2. Daniel Andrews:

   I want to say to Mr Frydenberg: Victorians are getting sick and tired of every time the Commonwealth Government spends $1 in Victoria, it’s treated like it’s foreign aid. Like we should bow our head and be grateful

3. Jaime Harrison:

   The DNC is committed to making sure Virginia Democrats have the resources they need to once again win up and down the ticket in November, these investments will allow us to make our case and reach Virginians directly all across the commonwealth.

4. House Majority Leader Charniele Herring:

   Our goal is to save lives and promote responsible gun ownership in the Commonwealth. Public safety is our number one concern.

5. Ben Wallace:

   On behalf of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the government both at the time and today I want to apologise.

Images & Illustrations of Commonwealth

Popularity rank by frequency of use