self-government, esp in domestic affairs
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
the partial autonomy sometimes granted to a national minority or a colony
First recorded in 1855–60
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule 26 years later and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark.
From Barron's ● Jan. 12, 2026
"We have always worked towards independence when we got home rule in 1979 and more independence in 2009."
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026
We are a federal enclave; we have home rule, but it’s limited.
From Slate ● Nov. 21, 2025
Bonar Law was both a true believer in the Ulster cause and a shrewd political operator, who correctly perceived that home rule could be used to bring down Asquith and the Liberals.
From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2024
Herein lies the advantage of local home rule.
From Proceedings of the Second National Conservation Congress at Saint Paul, September 5-8, 1910 by United States. National Conservation Congress
The aspiring writer was not as active in the Home Rule campaign, which sought to restore self-government to Ireland, as some of his friends from student years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
He also assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department, which he is allowed to do for 30 days without congressional approval under the Home Rule Act of 1973.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2025
In 1973, Congress exercised that authority by passing the Home Rule Act, which handed District residents far greater control over their own government.
From Slate ● Aug. 15, 2025
Mayor Karen Bass, is invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act that places the Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2025
He was a determined opponent of Mr Gladstone’s Home Rule policy.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
