com·mon·wealth 
/ˈkɑ:mənˌwɛlθ/ noun
plural com·mon·wealths /ˈkɑ:mənˌwɛlθ/ noun 1 [count] : a group of countries or states that have political or economic connections with one another — often + of ▪ a commonwealth of states 2 a the Commonwealth : a U.S. state — used officially of Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia ▪ the Commonwealth of Kentucky
b [count] : a political unit that is like a U.S. state but that pays no federal taxes and has only a representative in Congress who does not vote — used officially of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands 3 the Commonwealth : the countries that were once part of the British Empire
b [count] : a political unit that is like a U.S. state but that pays no federal taxes and has only a representative in Congress who does not vote — used officially of Puerto Rico and of the Northern Mariana Islands
