self-government

[self-guhv-ern-muhnt, -er-muhnt, self-]

noun

1. control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.

2. the condition of being self-governed.

3. self-control.

self-government

noun

1. the government of a country, nation, etc, by its own people

2. the state of being self-controlled

3. an archaic term for self-control

Other Word Forms

• self-governed adjective
• self-governing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-government¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Related Words

• autonomy 
• discretion 
• flexibility 
• immunity 
• independence 
• sovereignty