commonwealth/ ˈkɒm ənˌwɛlθ /
noun
(initial capital letter) a group of sovereign states and their dependencies associated by their own choice and linked with common objectives and interests:
the British Commonwealth.
the Commonwealth. Commonwealth of Nations.
(initial capital letter) a federation of states:
the Commonwealth of Australia.
(initial capital letter) a self-governing territory associated with the U.S.: official designation of Puerto Rico.
(initial capital letter) English History. the English government from the abolition of the monarchy in 1649 until the establishment of the Protectorate in 1653, sometimes extended to include the restoration of Charles II in 1660.
(initial capital letter) the official designation (rather than “State”) of four states of the U.S.: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.