autonomy
Americannoun
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autonomies
plural
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independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions.
the autonomy of the individual.
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the condition of being autonomous; self-government or the right of self-government.
The rebels demanded autonomy from Spain.
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a self-governing community.
noun
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the right or state of self-government, esp when limited
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a state, community, or individual possessing autonomy
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freedom to determine one's own actions, behaviour, etc
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philosophy
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the doctrine that the individual human will is or ought to be governed only by its own principles and laws See also categorical imperative
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the state in which one's actions are autonomous
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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?
Vocabulary lists containing autonomy
To Thine Own Self Be True: Auto
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Human Geography - Middle School
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This Week in Words: September 22 - 28, 2018
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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.
See Examples For:
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
If anything, it is very much in line with India's policy of strategic autonomy.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
But a lenient countermessage framed as female autonomy is no better.
From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026
First Eagle will operate on Victory Capital’s platform while retaining its brand, investment autonomy, and existing investment processes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Some researchers now believe that the stress involved in so-called high- demand, low-control jobs further down the occupational scale is more harmful than the stress of professional jobs that come with greater autonomy and control.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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
As he trimmed my beard he ranted about autonomies, puny city against puny city.
From Voices from the Past by Paul Alexander Bartlett
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.
