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

Tesla is the outlier in this group: AI spending matters for autonomy and manufacturing automation, but investors still anchor primarily on automotive margins and production efficiency.

From MarketWatch

Macron has argued for more autonomy, but others have called for caution.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Sheehan explains that Christian history is not a story of autonomy, a notion of self-control he borrows from Kant’s ethics.

From The Wall Street Journal

California-based Anduril Industries says its autonomy software, Lattice, enables swarm coordination, though Navy tests of that system in May ended in failure.

From The Wall Street Journal

But in U.S.-brokered talks he demanded continued autonomy and preservation of its military units, according to Western diplomats and analysts briefed on the negotiations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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