commonwealth

(kŏmˈən-wĕlthˌ)

1. The people of a nation or state; the body politic.
2. A nation or state governed by the people; a republic.
3. Commonwealth
   a. Used to refer to some U.S. states, namely, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
   b. Used to refer to a self-governing, autonomous political unit voluntarily associated with the United States, namely, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.
4. often Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations.
5. The English state and government from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, including the Protectorate of 1653 to 1659.
6. Archaic The public good; commonweal.