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
Local leaders have protested the move, calling it an unprecedented intrusion on home rule.
From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025
Congress has given D.C. a significant measure of home rule, including control of its police force.
From Slate • Aug. 15, 2025
When home rule was up, he had no eyes or ears for any political subject but Ireland, of course excepting his favorite excursions into the twin subjects of Homer and Christian theology.
From McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 1 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.
