Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Commonwealth
Com′mon-wealthˊ
(?; 277)
, Noun.
[
Common
+ wealth
well-being.] 1.
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.
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary
commonwealth
. Milton.
☞ This term is applied to governments which are considered as free or popular, but rarely, or improperly, to an absolute government. The word signifies, strictly, the common well-being or happiness; and hence, a form of government in which the general welfare is regarded rather than the welfare of any class.
2.
The whole body of people in a state; the public.
Syn. – State; realm; republic.
Definition 2024
Commonwealth
Commonwealth
See also: commonwealth
English
Proper noun
Commonwealth or the Commonwealth
- 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.
- (Britain) The Commonwealth of England, which existed from 1649 to 1660, under Cromwell.
- (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.
Translations
Commonwealth of Nations — see Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Australia — see Commonwealth of Australia
commonwealth
commonwealth
See also: Commonwealth
English
Noun
commonwealth (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.
Derived terms
For example, the official name of Australia is Commonwealth of Australia. It is applied to four states of the United States, to wit, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also used by self-governing, semi-autonomous units such as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Translations
form of government
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