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

The home rule charter was approved later that year on Sept. 26 and finally on Feb. 8, 2024, Keystone officially became one of Colorado’s newest towns. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, The Denver Post, 11 Dec. 2024

In recent years, however, the number of Catalans who believe that this sort of institutional reform is feasible has dwindled; ever larger numbers of people believe that only full sovereignty would be a viable safeguard of Catalan home rule. —Diego Muro, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2014

As the seat of Greenland’s home rule government, Nuuk is the world’s northernmost capital of a constituent state, sitting just north of Iceland’s Reykjavik. —David Nikel, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Even if the home rule law isn't chipped away, a GOP Congress will scratch at liberal D.C. priorities. —Cuneyt Dil, Axios, 25 Nov. 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