commonwealth

com·mon·wealth

noun

The definition of a commonwealth is an independent country, community or state within a republic, including some states of the U.S.

Pennsylvania is an example of a commonwealth.

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commonwealth

the people of a nation or state; body politic
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
1. loosely any state of the U.S.
2. officially Ky., Mass., Pa., or Va., which were so designated in their first constitutions
a group of people united by common interests
Obs. the general welfare; commonweal

Origin of commonwealth

Middle English commun welthe: see common and wealth

commonwealth Idioms

the Commonwealth

the government in England under the Cromwells and Parliament from 1649 to 1660
association of independent nations, mostly former components of the British Empire, united for purposes of consultation and mutual assistance: all members acknowledge the British sovereign as symbolic head of the association
in full the Commonwealth of Nations

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"Commonwealth." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth.

APA Style

Commonwealth. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth

commonwealth

noun

The people of a nation or state; the body politic.
A nation or state governed by the people; a republic.
Commonwealth
a. Used to refer to some US 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.
often Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations.
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.
Archaic The public good; commonweal.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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"Commonwealth." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth.

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Commonwealth. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth

Noun

(plural commonwealths)

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.
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.

Origin

From 15th century, common (“public”) +‎ wealth (“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."

Proper noun

The Commonwealth of Nations, a loose confederation of nations based around the former British Empire.
Mozambique joined the Commonwealth in 1995, although it had not been a part of the British Empire.
As a Commonwealth citizen, you are eligible to vote in United Kingdom elections.
(Australia) Australia, the Commonwealth of Australia, often referring to its federal government.
Mr. Martin was found guilty of defrauding the Commonwealth by making false welfare claims.
(in Kentucky) Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, often referring to its government.
(in Massachusetts) Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, often referring to its government.
(in Pennsylvania) Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, often referring to its government.
(in Virginia) Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, often referring to its government.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"Commonwealth." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth.

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Commonwealth. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth

commonwealth - Legal Definition

The people of a state or country.
A state or country where sovereignty is vested in the people.

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MLA Style

"Commonwealth." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth.

APA Style

Commonwealth. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Commonwealth

commonwealth

commonwealth

commonwealth

commonwealth - Legal Definition

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commonwealth

commonwealth

commonwealth

commonwealth - Legal Definition

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