Commonweal: meaning, definitions and examples
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commonweal
[ ˈkɒmənwiːl ]
public good
Commonweal refers to the welfare or well-being of the public, often used in discussions about political or social responsibilities. The term implies a collective benefit for the community rather than individual gain. It emphasizes the importance of working together for the common good and is frequently associated with concepts of governance, social justice, and ethical conduct. Commonweal is rooted in the idea that a society should prioritize the health and prosperity of its citizens.
Synonyms
collective welfare, common good, public interest
Examples of usage
- The commonweal is best served by equitable policies.
- He devoted his life to promoting the commonweal.
- Decisions made in this council should always reflect the commonweal.
Translations
Translations of the word "commonweal" in other languages:
🇵🇹 bem comum
🇮🇳 सामान्य कल्याण
🇩🇪 Gemeinwohl
🇮🇩 kesejahteraan bersama
🇺🇦 загальне благо
🇵🇱 dobro wspólne
🇯🇵 公共の利益
🇫🇷 bien commun
🇪🇸 bien común
🇹🇷 ortak iyilik
🇰🇷 공공의 복지
🇸🇦 الرفاهية العامة
🇨🇿 veřejné blaho
🇸🇰 verejné blaho
🇨🇳 公共福祉
🇸🇮 skupno dobro
🇮🇸 sameign
🇰🇿 ортақ игілік
🇬🇪 საერთო კეთილდღეობა
🇦🇿 ümumi rifah
🇲🇽 bien común
Etymology
The word 'commonweal' has its roots in Middle English, derived from the Old English term 'comunwēal' which combines 'comun', meaning 'common', and 'wēal', meaning 'wealth' or 'well-being'. It was used historically to denote the commonwealth, a concept in political philosophy referring to an organized society governed for the common good of its citizens. The term has played a significant role in discussions around governance, social contracts, and civic responsibility since the medieval period. Over time, the meaning has evolved but it retains the core notion of public welfare and the idea that a society should prioritize its collective health and prosperity.