1. the general welfare or well-being of the public; the common good
Usage: formal
2. a political community or state; a commonwealth
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The mayor claimed his policies were designed to serve the commonweal.
• Citizens should consider the commonweal when making political decisions.
• The new law was passed for the commonweal, not for special interests.
• Leaders must balance individual rights with the commonweal.
• The ancient philosophers wrote extensively about the commonweal.
• Public education serves the commonweal by creating informed citizens.