autonomy

[aw-ton-uh-mee]

noun

plural

autonomies 

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.

autonomy

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• autonomist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomy¹

C17: from Greek autonomia freedom to live by one's own laws; see _autonomous

Example Sentences

For three, that could have other First Amendment implications, such as violating religious autonomy “by penalizing the Catholic Church for how it organizes itself.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the compact threatens to take away foundational aspects of education, including academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

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The Indian government has offered greater autonomy, but rejects any concession implying sovereignty; the 2015 Framework Agreement, once hailed as a breakthrough, now languishes.

Read more on BBC

Self-driving cars are here, revved up and ready to go, according to one analyst, who is confident that Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. has effectively “solved” autonomy.

Read more on MarketWatch

But for the governments that also rely on ties to Beijing, "what is at stake is preserving room to manoeuvre and strategic autonomy," she said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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