commonwealth
noun
com·mon·wealth
ˈkä-mən-ˌwelth 
also -ˌweltth
1
2
: a state of the U.S.
—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
3
often Commonwealth
: 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 Commonwealth
: an association of self-governing autonomous states more or less loosely associated in a common allegiance (as to the British crown)
5
Commonwealth
a
: the English state from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the Restoration in 1660
6
Commonwealth
: a federal union of constituent states
—used officially of Australia
7
archaic
: commonweal sense 2
Examples of commonwealth in a Sentence
laws that will benefit all the citizens of the commonwealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Communities in other states that also enjoy a tradition of local health regulation, including California, are studying NFG and watching these political dynamics in the commonwealth, placing Massachusetts’ public health leadership in the balance.
—
Katharine Silbaugh, STAT, 19 May 2026
Wednesday, May 20, is Jimmy Stewart Day across the commonwealth — a day honoring the late actor and Indiana, Pennsylvania, native.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Polls close across the entire commonwealth by 7 pm.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
Hegseth joined fifth-generation farmer Ed Gallrein at a campaign event on Monday -- one day before the commonwealth's primary election -- urging voters to support him over incumbent Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commonwealth
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Katharine Silbaugh, STAT, 19 May 2026
Wednesday, May 20, is Jimmy Stewart Day across the commonwealth — a day honoring the late actor and Indiana, Pennsylvania, native.
—Christopher Derose, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Polls close across the entire commonwealth by 7 pm.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 May 2026
Hegseth joined fifth-generation farmer Ed Gallrein at a campaign event on Monday -- one day before the commonwealth's primary election -- urging voters to support him over incumbent Massie in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race.
—Emily Chang, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for commonwealth
Cite this Entry
“Commonwealth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commonwealth. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commonwealth
noun
com·mon·wealth
-ˌwelth
1
: a political unit (as a nation or state)
2
: a state of the U.S.
—used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Legal Definition
commonwealth
noun
com·mon·wealth
ˈkä-mən-ˌwelth
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
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