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What does the word commonwealth mean, as... | Almanac.com

What does the word commonwealth mean, as...

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What does the word commonwealth mean, as in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Answer
According to The New Columbia Encyclopedia, a commonwealth is a β€œform of administration signifying government by the common consent of the people.” It is similar in meaning to the word state and in the 17th century came to refer to an organized political community. Other commonwealths in the United States include Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky.