self-determination

American  

[self-di-tur-muh-ney-shuhn, self-] / ˈsɛlf dɪˌtɜr məˈneɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. determination by oneself or itself, without outside influence.

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

3. 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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self-determination British  

noun

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• self-determined adjective
• self-determining adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-determination

1670–80; 1915–20 self-determination for def. 3

Example Sentences

They want their own right of self-determination and self-government in their Native nations.

From Slate • Mar. 16, 2026

The Cuban president said the talks were taking place "on the basis of equality and respect for the political systems of both states, and for the sovereignty and self-determination of our governments".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

While details of the agreement made at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos remained scant, many Greenlanders, who fiercely defend their right to self-determination, were disappointed.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Israel and Somaliland share a deep understanding of the struggle for self-determination and international legitimacy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

It was a movement in which African Americans seized upon their first chances for group expression and self-determination.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• autonomy
• home rule
• self-government
• self-reliance
• self-rule
• self-sufficiency
• separation
• sovereignty