home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (such as a territory or municipality)

Examples of home rule in a Sentence

The citizens petitioned for home rule.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Jefferson Parish, local propositions include a home rule charter amendment that edits an employment definition for some parish workers, and a security tax for a Stonebridge crime prevention district. —Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

The suspect is on the town council of Mountain View, a 12-block home rule municipality in the Denver suburbs, the sheriff’s office confirmed to CBS News Colorado. —Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2024

Lose the Senate to a GOP majority and — with Trump in the Oval Office — say so long to home rule, at least in its present form. —Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 19 July 2024

The cities argued that the state Legislature violated home rule, or the right of local governments to set its own policy, in opposition to the Ohio Constitution home rule amendment. —Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government in local affairs by the citizens of a local political unit

Legal Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (as a territory or municipality)

also : the political theory or principle of self-government