What does "commonwealth" mean?
The well-being of a community.
Commonwealth
/ˈkɑmənˌwɛlθ/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The well-being of a community.
- Grammar: commonwealth is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: nation, state, absolute monarchy, alliance.
- Useful contrasts: anarchy, despotism, isolation.
- Usage evidence: Soviet and Western observers have warned that if the Muslim republics do not join the commonwealth, they may from a separate group, setting up a volatile ethnic and religious split.
How to use "commonwealth"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "commonwealth" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "commonwealth" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "commonwealth" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "commonwealth" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "commonwealth" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "nation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "commonwealth", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The well-being of a community. obsolete
- 2 a politically organized body of people under a single government wordnet
- 3 The entirety of a (secular) society, a polity, a state.
"Remeber I saye yt ye were at that tyme wt oute Christ and were reputed aliantes from the comen welth [πολιτεία (politeía)] of Israel and were straugers fro the testamentes of promes and had no hope and were with out god in this worlde."
- 4 a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them wordnet
- 5 Republic. Often capitalized, as Commonwealth.
"1649, Act of the Long Parliament 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."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 a world organization of autonomous states that are united in allegiance to a central power but are not subordinate to it or to one another wordnet
- 7 the official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico) wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 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."
- 2 A barangay of Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
- 3 The Commonwealth of England (1649–1653); the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653–1660). British, historical
"Near-synonyms: Protectorate; Interregnum"
- 4 A barangay of Rosario, Northern Samar, Philippines.
- 5 Australia, the Commonwealth of Australia, often referring to its federal government. Australia
"Mr. Martin was found guilty of defrauding the Commonwealth by making false welfare claims."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 A barangay of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines.
- 7 Kentucky, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, often referring to its government.
- 8 Massachusetts, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, often referring to its government.
- 9 Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, often referring to its government.
- 10 Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, often referring to its government.
Example
"Soviet and Western observers have warned that if the Muslim republics do not join the commonwealth, they may from a separate group, setting up a volatile ethnic and religious split."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "commonwealth"?
Common synonyms include: nation, state, absolute monarchy, alliance, ally, archduchy.
How do you use "commonwealth" in a sentence?
Soviet and Western observers have warned that if the Muslim republics do not join the commonwealth, they may from a separate group, setting up a volatile ethnic and religious split.
How do you pronounce "commonwealth"?
Pronounced /ˈkɑmənˌwɛlθ/.
Etymology
From common (“public”) + wealth (“well-being”). From c. 1450 as common wele (commonweal). In the form common-wealth (common welthe) from c. 1520, used by Tyndale in the sense "secular society" in particular, for which other authors preferred publike weal. Also from the 1520s treated as a synonym or loan-translation of res publica (republic) (Rollison 2017:67f).