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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

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Etymology

Origin of autonomy

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

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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

“Regarding our technology roadmap, our autonomy platform is progressing rapidly,” Scaringe said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

“If they’re going to have a car that has a road map to autonomy, and it retails for less than the average new car in the United States, that’s a pretty positive formula.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

“Whether that’s because of AI encroaching on their autonomy as a writer or thinker, I honestly don’t know.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

"As AI systems become more capable of generating novel decisions and acting with greater autonomy, we need to ensure that their behaviour remains safe, reliable and under meaningful human control," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

It was the slow retraction, the retreat into autonomy which signaled the approaching end of Briony’s childhood.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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

Assimilating college sports into the university would prevent them from being run as autonomies or fiefdoms.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 9, 2015

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

From Economist ● May 15, 2012

The respective autonomies of the individual, the clan, the hsien and the nation are accounted for; the nature of the democratic nationalist state becomes clear.

From The Political Doctrines of Sun Yat-sen: An Exposition of the San Min Chu I by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

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Related Words

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

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