commonwealth

noun

1. the people of a nation or state; body politic
2. 1. a nation or state in which there is self-government; democracy or republic
   2. a federation of states [the Commonwealth of Australia]: Commonwealth is also the official designation of Puerto Rico, in its special status under the U.S. government
3. ☆ loosely any state of the U.S.; strictly, Ky., Mass., Pa., or Va., which were so designated in their first constitutions
4. a group of people united by common interests
5. Obsolete the general welfare; commonweal

Origin: ME commun welthe: see common & wealth