autarky

American

[aw-tahr-kee] / ˈɔ tɑr ki /

Or autarchy

noun

plural

autarkies

the condition of self-sufficiency, especially economic, as applied to a nation.
a national policy of economic independence.

autarky British

/ ˈɔːtɑːkɪ /

noun

(esp of a political unit) a system or policy of economic self-sufficiency aimed at removing the need for imports
an economically self-sufficient country

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of autarky

First recorded in 1610–20; from Greek autárkeia, “self-sufficiency,” equivalent to aut- aut- + arke-, stem of arkeîn “to be strong enough, suffice” + -ia -ia

Vocabulary lists containing autarky

Russia - Middle School and High School

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!

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.

Autarky has repeatedly failed, not least because it cuts countries off from technology and talent.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023