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 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
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
Editor's note: This is not a comprehensive list of every non-bourbon spirit made in Kentucky, but rather a list meant to show the variety of spirits available in the commonwealth.
—
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 17 July 2025
Public broadcasting employees and advocates in the commonwealth have warned networks such as KET and the state's NPR stations are vital to keeping residents of rural Kentucky informed in emergency situations and provide other important local news coverage.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 July 2025
James Horncastle Can Kane break America? Out of solidarity for a commonwealth nation that still recognises the King as its head of state, England’s Harry Kane was not among the Bayern goalscorers in their 10-0 demolition of Auckland City in Cincinnati.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Crime in the commonwealth is on the low side despite its size.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commonwealth
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 17 July 2025
Public broadcasting employees and advocates in the commonwealth have warned networks such as KET and the state's NPR stations are vital to keeping residents of rural Kentucky informed in emergency situations and provide other important local news coverage.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 July 2025
James Horncastle Can Kane break America? Out of solidarity for a commonwealth nation that still recognises the King as its head of state, England’s Harry Kane was not among the Bayern goalscorers in their 10-0 demolition of Auckland City in Cincinnati.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Crime in the commonwealth is on the low side despite its size.
—Scott Cohn, CNBC, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for commonwealth
Cite this Entry
“Commonwealth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commonwealth. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share