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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1858, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near home rule
Cite this Entry
“Home rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home%20rule. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on home rule
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for home rule
Britannica English: Translation of home rule for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about home rule
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