Explain what a commonwealth state means
 Commonwealth  is a nomenclature used by four of the constituent states of the United States of America in their official, full state names.These states are Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.The four were among the original 15 states to join the Union.he same term is also used by the U.S. Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, which are not states where it has a distinct legal meaning. Commonwealth Law & Legal Definition. A commonwealth is a free state, or republic, characterized by a representative government. The states of the United States may each be considered commonwealths.Four states in the United States designate themselves commonwealths: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.ommonwealth Law & Legal Definition. A commonwealth is a free state, or republic, characterized by a representative government. The states of the United States may each be considered commonwealths. The Meaning of “Commonwealth”. Puerto Rico is often called a commonwealth, but that is actually just a word in the official title of the government of Puerto Rico. Kentucky is also a commonwealth, as are Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.uerto Rico is often called a commonwealth, but that is actually just a word in the official title of the government of Puerto Rico. Kentucky is also a commonwealth, as are Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The term literally meant common well-being. In the 17th century the definition of commonwealth expanded from its original sense of public welfare or commonweal to mean a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people; a republic or democratic state.ommonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. There is no difference between a commonwealth and a state in the U.S. To Locke, Hobbes, and other 17th-century writers the term commonwealth meant an organized political community -- what we today call a state..Officially Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts are all commonwealths.here is no difference between a commonwealth and a state in the U.S. To Locke, Hobbes, and other 17th-century writers the term commonwealth meant an organized political community -- what we today call a state.. Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good.Historically it has sometimes been synonymous with  republicanism .ommonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. 10 most extreme places on Earth. Numerous definitions can be applied to the term commonwealth. In its loosest form, the term means for the common or public good, and is often a state formed for the common good of the people.It can also apply to a group of nations that have a loose alliance for the good of all members of each nation. Several US states have commonwealth designation.0 most extreme places on Earth. Numerous definitions can be applied to the term commonwealth. In its loosest form, the term means for the common or public good, and is often a state formed for the common good of the people. the official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico). state, nation, country, land, commonwealth, res publica, body politic (noun).a politically organized body of people under a single government.he official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico). state, nation, country, land, commonwealth, res publica, body politic (noun). a politically organized body of people under a single government. LINK / CITE ADD TO WORD LIST. noun. The definition of a commonwealth is an independent country, community or state within a republic, including some states of the U.S. Pennsylvania is an example of a commonwealth.INK / CITE ADD TO WORD LIST. noun. The definition of a commonwealth is an independent country, community or state within a republic, including some states of the U.S. Pennsylvania is an example of a commonwealth. If you are trying to distinguish between Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia on the one hand and all the rest of the U.S. states on the other, then Jessamyn's answer is correct-it's essentially a difference in the naming convention.f you are trying to distinguish between Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia on the one hand and all the rest of the U.S. states on the other, then Jessamyn's answer is correct-it's essentially a difference in the naming convention.
A commonwealth is a free state, or republic, characterized by a representative government. The states of the United States may each be considered commonwealths.