dominion

A dominion was one of the initially semi-independent countries, and later fully independent countries, under the British Crown that constituted the British Empire, beginning with Canadian Confederation in 1867. A "dominion status" was a constitutional term of art used to signify a Commonwealth realm; they included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State. India, Pakistan, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Nigeria, Kenya, and other former colonies were also dominions for short periods of time. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognised the Dominions as "autonomous communities within the British Empire", and the 1931 Statute of Westminster confirmed their full legislative independence.
Earlier usage of dominion to refer to a particular territory dates to the 16th century and was used to describe Wales from 1535 to 1801.

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