ˈkɔmənwelθ n. 1 a an
independent State or
community,
esp. a
democratic republic. b
such a community or
organization of shared interests in a
non-political field (the commonwealth of learning). 2 (the Commonwealth) a (in full
the British Commonwealth of Nations) an
international association consisting of the UK
together with States
that were previously
part of the British
Empire. b the
republican period of
government in Britain 1649-60. c US a part of the
title of
some of the States of the
US. d the title of the federated
Australian States. øCommonwealth
Day a day
each year commemorating the British Commonwealth (formerly called Empire Day). [COMMON + WEALTH]