commonwealth
noun
com路mon路wealth
| \ 藞k盲-m蓹n-藢welth also -藢weltth
\
\
Definition of commonwealth
1
: a nation, state, or other political unit: such as
a
: one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good
b
: one in which supreme authority is vested in the people
c
: republic
2
: a state of the U.S.
—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
3
often capitalized
: a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S.
—used officially of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands
4
often capitalized
: an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)
5 capitalized
a
: the English state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration in 1660
6
capitalized
: a federal union of constituent states
—used officially of Australia
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Synonyms for commonwealth
Synonyms
country, land, nation, sovereignty (also sovranty), state
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Examples of commonwealth in a Sentence
laws that will benefit all the citizens of the commonwealth
Recent Examples on the Web
His immediate and extended family was no doubt affected by Hurricane Maria, which slammed into the island nearly two years ago and left a wake of destruction and misery still felt deeply in several parts of the U.S. commonwealth. — Rub茅n Rosario, Twin Cities, "Rub茅n Rosario: Dorian unnerves Puerto Ricans traumatized by Hurricane Maria," 30 Aug. 2019 But the commonwealth attorney's office and the NCAA conducted separate investigations into how former Louisville basketball assistant Andre McGee was able to finance the stripper parties. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Breaking down David Grissom's claim a Louisville trustee was sex scandal's 'cash source'," 13 Aug. 2019 During the nineteenth century, English thinkers like J.S. Mill and George Grote worked to reimagine tumultuous Athens as a forerunner to the placid, liberal Victorian commonwealth. — Nick Burns, The New Republic, "In Defense of Sparta," 7 Aug. 2019 Outgoing Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello will name Pedro Pierluisi, the commonwealth鈥檚 former representative in U.S. Congress, as his successor, according to an island lawmaker. — Michelle Kaske, Fortune, "Puerto Rico Governor Said to Name Pierluisi as Successor," 30 July 2019 In partnership with the Kentucky Department of Tourism, chefs at the participating parks are offering guests a chance to explore the commonwealth鈥檚 diverse culinary heritage. — Patti Nickell, chicagotribune.com, "Kentucky resort parks serve up authentic, regional eats along the state鈥檚 culinary trail," 25 July 2019 Hurricane Maria wiped out huge chunks of the island鈥檚 power grid for months and escalated tensions between the commonwealth and the mainland. — Los Angeles Times, "Puerto Ricans press for Gov. Rossello鈥檚 resignation ahead of major protest Monday," 20 July 2019 Cosby's lawyers also argue the commonwealth previously agreed he would never be prosecuted for the allegations in the deposition. — Eric Levenson, CNN, "Bill Cosby challenges prior victims' testimony in appeal of his assault conviction," 25 June 2019 Kentucky鈥檚 first-round victory over Princeton marked its first out-of-town tournament game since 2014 and its first NCAA victory outside the commonwealth since the regional semifinals the year before. — Joedy Mccreary, The Seattle Times, "NC State, Kentucky meet with Sweet 16 spot on the line," 24 Mar. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'commonwealth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for commonwealth
commonwealth
noun
English Language Learners Definition of commonwealth
: a group of countries or states that have political or economic connections with one another
: a U.S. state
: a political unit that is like a U.S. state but that pays no federal taxes and has only a representative in Congress who does not vote
See the full definition for commonwealth in the English Language Learners Dictionary
commonwealth
noun
com路mon路wealth
| \ 藞k盲-m蓹n-藢welth
\
\
Kids Definition of commonwealth
1
: a political unit (as a nation or state)
2
: one of four states of the United States鈥擪entucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, or Virginia
commonwealth
noun
com路mon路wealth
| \ 藞k盲-m蓹n-藢welth
\
\
Legal Definition of commonwealth
1
: a nation, state, or other political unit: as
a
: one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement by the people for the common good
b
: one in which supreme authority is vested in the people
c
: republic
2
: a state of the U.S.
—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
3
often capitalized
: an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)
4
often capitalized
: a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S.
—used officially of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands
Keep scrolling for more