commonwealth

noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An independent country or community, especially a democratic republic.

  2. 2.

    (Commonwealth) An association of mostly former British territories working together.

  3. 3.

    The public welfare; the common good.

  4. 4.

    A political unit governed by the people; a republic or democratic state.

Related words

See also: community, nation, republic

Etymology

From common + wealth (in the sense of "well-being, welfare"). Originally meant the common good or public welfare, later applied to self-governing political entities.