1. Political Entity:
* A political entity, especially a republic, in which power is held by the people. This is the most common meaning of "commonwealth" in modern English. For example, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are all examples of this type of political entity.
* A group of independent states or nations that have agreed to work together for common goals. This meaning is often used in conjunction with the word "British," as in the British Commonwealth, which is a voluntary association of 54 independent and sovereign states.
2. Common Good:
* The well-being of the community as a whole. This is a more abstract meaning of "commonwealth," which refers to the shared interests and prosperity of a group of people. For example, a politician might say that they are working for the "commonwealth" of their constituents.
3. Wealth or Property:
* The collective wealth or possessions of a group of people. This is a more historical meaning of "commonwealth," which was used to refer to the goods and resources that were shared by the members of a community. For example, a historian might talk about the "commonwealth" of a medieval village, which would include its land, livestock, and other resources.
It's important to consider the context of the word "commonwealth" in order to understand its meaning accurately.