autonomy

noun

au·​ton·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē How to pronounce autonomy (audio)
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being self-governing
especially : the right of self-government
The territory was granted autonomy.
2
: self-directing freedom and especially moral independence
personal autonomy
3
: a self-governing state

Examples of autonomy in a Sentence

The Catalans take the matter of their language very seriously; it is an outward indication of their autonomy, of their distinction from the rest of Spain. Polly Evans, It's Not About the Tapas, 2006
The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, become colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installed—all without the consent of the subjugated state. Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002
The social payoff of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down approach to economic recovery. Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002
Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence from the will of others. This way of thinking reflects just the kind of distinction—between oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a part—that Dewey considered false. Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001
a teacher who encourages individual autonomy The territory has been granted autonomy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But like those, Polestar has been given the autonomy to stand on its own two feet and forge its own identity. Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 Threatening this autonomy would damage America's relationships with allies and partners who value multilateralism and shared governance. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 The Women’s March turned into an annual event, embracing themes of gender equality, bodily autonomy and preservation of civil rights. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025 The system boasted heat and flame detectors, fire retardant, a 2,500-gallon sprinkler system to soak the property and humidify the air for an hour, and autonomy from the power grid. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for autonomy 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin autonomia, borrowed from Greek autonomía "self-governance, independence, licence," from autónomos "independent, autonomous" + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autonomy was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near autonomy

Cite this Entry

“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

autonomy

noun
au·​ton·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtän-ə-mē How to pronounce autonomy (audio)
plural autonomies
: the power or right of self-government

Medical Definition

autonomy

noun
au·​ton·​o·​my -mē How to pronounce autonomy (audio)
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing
2
: independence from the organism as a whole in the capacity of a part for growth, reactivity, or responsiveness

Legal Definition

autonomy

noun
au·​ton·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē How to pronounce autonomy (audio)
: the quality or state of being self-governing
especially : the right of self-government
autonomous adjective
autonomously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on autonomy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!