autonomy

American  

[aw-ton-uh-mee] / ɔˈtɒn ə mi /

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.

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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

• autonomist noun

Etymology

Origin of autonomy

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

Example Sentences

Legal victories alone might not be enough to secure the Fed’s autonomy.

From The Wall Street Journal

“But we are aiming for that level four autonomy, where you don’t have to drive at all.”

From Los Angeles Times

Xi also attended celebrations for major anniversaries of Beijing’s system of granting nominal political autonomy to Tibet and Xinjiang, becoming the first paramount leader to do so.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kurds make up about 10% of the Iranian population and have long wanted more political autonomy.

From The Wall Street Journal

That plan includes implementing its so-called mosaic defense, a decentralized approach that allows individual commanders the autonomy to keep up the fight if cut off from their superiors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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