home rule

American  

noun

1. self-government in local matters by a city, province, state, colony, or the like.

---

home rule ¹ British  

noun

1. self-government, esp in domestic affairs

2. government the partial autonomy of cities and (in some states) counties, under which they manage their own affairs, with their own charters, etc, within the limits set by the state constitution and laws

3. the partial autonomy sometimes granted to a national minority or a colony

---

Home Rule ² British  

noun

1. self-government for Ireland: the goal of the Irish Nationalists from about 1870 to 1920

---

Etymology

Origin of home rule

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

But Denmark granted it home rule in 1979, and its 57,000 inhabitants retain the right to vote for independence.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, and did not gain home rule until 1979, however Copenhagen continued to oversee the healthcare system, before Greenland took responsibility in 1992.

From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025

Local leaders have protested the move, calling it an unprecedented intrusion on home rule.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

To repeal home rule, they would have to pass a law through Congress.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2024

It was the Ulster contention that home rule would be unreasonable, intolerable, and unjust.

From The Invisible Censor by Hackett, Francis

Related Words

• self-determination
• self-rule