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From which language does the word autonomy originate?

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autonomy

American  

[aw-ton-uh-mee] / ɔˈtɒn ə mi /

noun

• autonomies
  plural

1. independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions.

   the autonomy of the individual.

2. the condition of being autonomous; self-government or the right of self-government.

   The rebels demanded autonomy from Spain.

3. a self-governing community.

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autonomy British  

/ ɔːˈtɒnəmɪ /

noun

1. the right or state of self-government, esp when limited

2. a state, community, or individual possessing autonomy

3. freedom to determine one's own actions, behaviour, etc

4. philosophy

   1. the doctrine that the individual human will is or ought to be governed only by its own principles and laws See also categorical imperative

   2. the state in which one's actions are autonomous

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• autonomist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• autonomies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of autonomy

First recorded in 1615–25; from Greek autonomía “independence,” equivalent to autónom(os) autonomous + -ia -y ³

Explanation

When a group wants to govern itself or a person wants to make independent decisions, they are looking for autonomy. Autonomy comes from the Greek roots auto meaning "self" and nomos meaning "custom" or "law." This reflects the political sense of the word — a group's right to self-government or self-rule. When a person seeks autonomy, he or she would like to be able to make decisions independently from an authority figure. Can you relate?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

autonomy autonomies

Alphabet-owned Waymo, which leads the robotaxi race with operations in 14 cities, uses existing traditional vehicles retrofitted for autonomy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

There’s a big, global capex cycle at work, a boom in defense spending and the development of energy autonomy in the newly-deglobalized world.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

According to analysts, Cairo will use the summit to underscore its strategic autonomy, showing it can leverage its close ties with both Washington and Beijing.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

The region has long demanded greater autonomy and is one of the most strictly controlled regions in the country, with access for foreign media tightly restricted.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Mostly, I relish the autonomy and minute-by-minute freedom of motion.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

The underlying premise is that charter schools must have certain autonomies and flexibilities to function effectively.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 9, 2023

Spinning on an axis of anxiety, “Huesera” raises the provocative idea that motherhood can feel akin to a curse stripping one of stability and sacred autonomies.

From New York Times ● Jun. 8, 2022

They say it is an important step in closing the wounds left by the state takeover without sacrificing the autonomies that they say have been essential for driving academic progress.

From Washington Post ● May 10, 2016

Opinions in Spain would split according to autonomies and political colour.

From Economist ● May 15, 2012

But the foreigners, probably not understanding these separate autonomies, did not relish these requisitions, and Franklin found that he could do nothing.

From Benjamin Franklin by John T. (John Torrey) Morse

Related Words

• freedom
• self-determination
• self-government
• self-rule
• sovereignty