ENGLISH
REFERENCE

commonwealth

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɑmənˌwɛɫθ// UK //kˈɒmənwˌɛlθ// com·mon·wealth Archaic

n. a group of countries or states that work together because they have a shared history or goals. You most often hear this used for the group of nations that were once part of the British Empire.

n. an international association consisting of the United Kingdom and several independent states that were formerly part of the British Empire. When used in a political context, it refers to a state or nation governed by the people for the common good.


SIMPLE

Many countries in the Commonwealth compete in the games every four years.

CONTEXTUAL

The leaders of the Commonwealth met to discuss trade agreements and environmental protection across their member states.

COMPLEX

While the modern Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent nations, its historical roots lie in the gradual decolonisation of the British Empire throughout the twentieth century.

Synonyms
Usage

Usually capitalised when referring to the specific association of nations or a specific state like the Commonwealth of Australia.

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