autonomous
Americanadjective
-
Government.
-
self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws only.
-
pertaining to an autonomy, or a self-governing community.
-
-
having autonomy; not subject to control from outside; independent.
a subsidiary that functioned as an autonomous unit.
-
(of a machine, device, etc.) able to operate with little or no human control or intervention.
an autonomous vehicle.
-
Biology.
-
existing and functioning as an independent organism.
-
growing naturally or spontaneously, without cultivation.
-
adjective
-
(of a community, country, etc) possessing a large degree of self-government
-
of or relating to an autonomous community
-
independent of others
-
philosophy
-
acting or able to act in accordance with rules and principles of one's own choosing
-
(in the moral philosophy of Kant, of an individual's will) directed to duty rather than to some other end Compare heteronomous See also categorical imperative
-
-
biology existing as an organism independent of other organisms or parts
-
a variant spelling of autonomic
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of autonomous
First recorded in 1790–1800; from Greek autónomos “with laws of one's own, independent,” equivalent to auto- auto- 1 + nóm(os) “law, custom” + -os adjective suffix
Explanation
Autonomous describes things that function separately or independently. Once you move out of your parents' house and get your own job, you will be an autonomous member of the family. This adjective autonomous is often used of countries, regions, or groups that have the right to govern themselves: Vatican City, where the Catholic pope lives, is an autonomous territory located within the city limits of Rome. The corresponding noun is autonomy, referring to the state of existing or functioning independently. Autonomous comes from the Greek roots autos, "self," and nomos, "law."
Vocabulary lists containing autonomous
To Thine Own Self Be True: Auto
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: October 28 - November 2, 2018
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: August 25 - 31, 2018
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The company raised $113 million earlier this year, with backers including Stockholm-based EQT Ventures, to support its technology and global expansion, including further autonomous deployments and additional commercial applications of its freight platform.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Tesla stock increased in premarket trading, driven by autonomous driving updates.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Tesla stock increased in premarket trading, driven by autonomous driving updates.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
PepsiCo employs thousands of drivers in the U.S., some represented by unions that have strongly opposed the rollout of autonomous trucks.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
The rapidly growing Space Task Group was taking shape as an autonomous unit marching out in front of the space parade.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
