what does comonwealth means?

Answer 1

The commonwealth is also today an association of countries which were previously part of the British Empire, these countries take part in the commonwealth games and also are a kind of political association supporting each others interests internationally with regard to trade etc.

For example the UK has preferential trade deals for bananas with Commonwealth countries over those for South America.

Answer 2

This seemed to me to be the best answer in general that I found. It seems to include all versions as you don't state what you want ie: plain definition, regional
commonwealth

Body politic founded on law for the common “weal,” or good. The term was often used by 17th-century writers to signify an organized political community, its meaning thus being similar to the modern meaning of state or nation. Today it primarily refers to the Commonwealth. Four U.S. states (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) call themselves commonwealths, a distinction in name only. Puerto Rico has been a commonwealth rather than a state since 1952; its residents, though U.S. citizens, have only a nonvoting representative in Congress and pay no federal taxes.

For more information on commonwealth, visit Britannica.com.

Answer 3

"The English noun Commonwealth dates originally from the fifteenth century. The original phrase "common wealth" or "the common weal" comes from the old meaning of "wealth" which is "well-being"[1]. The term literally meant "common well-being". Thus commonwealth originally meant a state governed for the common good as opposed to an authoritarian state governed for the benefit of a given class of owners."

From Wikipedia, the free, online encyclopedia at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

The Commonwealth is a group of 53 nations that used to be called the British Empire. The only thing i can see it being good for is the Commonwealth Games

Answer 5

The people of a nation or state; the body politic.

For more go to:

http://www.answers.com/topic/commonwealth