self-determination

[ self-di-tur-muh-ney-shuhn, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlf dɪˌtɜr məˈneɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

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See synonyms for self-determination on Thesaurus.com

noun

determination by oneself or itself, without outside influence.

freedom to live as one chooses, or to act or decide without consulting another or others.

the determining by the people of the form their government shall have, without reference to the wishes of any other nation, especially by people of a territory or former colony.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of self-determination

1670–80; 1915–20 for def. 3

OTHER WORDS FROM self-determination

self-de·ter·mined, adjectiveself-de·ter·min·ing, adjective

Words nearby self-determination

self-depreciating, self-depreciation, self-destruct, self-destruction, self-destructive, self-determination, self-determinism, self-development, self-devotion, self-diagnosis, self-directed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use self-determination in a sentence

So where does this leave the millions of Palestinians—like my relatives—who dream of self-determination and a sovereign state?
In the Middle East, the Two-State Solution Is Dead|Dean Obeidallah|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“A referendum on self-determination is necessary to reset the relationship between Catalonia and Spain,” according to the site.
Europe’s Secession Panic|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many outsiders indeed strongly supported the right of self-determination for South Sudanese.
Government Ceasefire Is First Step Towards Peace in South Sudan|John Prendergast, Akshaya Kumar|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am a citizen of two countries that attained their independence through hard-won fights for self-determination.
The South Sudan Clashes Are No Tribal War|Valentino Deng|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The Palestinians have to “earn” the right to self determination.
Israel as a Totem for Jewish Identity|Lisa Goldman|October 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On the contrary, we sit in the seat of self-determination as a highly trained and skillful engineer.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
Economic self-determination was as essential to the individual as political equality.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
No room was allowed for human self-determination to anyone but the first man.
Determinism or Free-Will?|Chapman Cohen
They strove for the 'self-determination of peoples' but find that it was for some people, but not all.
Preaching and Paganism|Albert Parker Fitch
This was defended in the of self-determination and by pointing out parallels of Transylvania and other provinces.
Freedom's Battle|Mahatma Gandhi

British Dictionary definitions for self-determination

self-determination

noun

the power or ability to make a decision for oneself without influence from outside

the right of a nation or people to determine its own form of government without influence from outside

Derived forms of self-determination

self-determined, adjectiveself-determining, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

self-determination

Origin of self-determination

OTHER WORDS FROM self-determination

Words nearby self-determination

Words related to self-determination

How to use self-determination in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for self-determination

Derived forms of self-determination