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self-governing

  • a word derived from self-governed.
    self-governed
    adjective
    governed by itself or having self-government, as a state or community; independent.
  • a word derived from self-government.
    self-government
    noun
    control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

All these paths to influencing the Constitution are vital to our ability to function as a self-governing republic of equal citizens.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

The airspace reserved in the current alerts is hundreds of miles away from the self-governing island.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

In December, Israel became the first to recognise Somaliland's independence since it seceded from Somalia in 1991, drawing angry condemnation from the federal government in Mogadishu, even though it has been self-governing for 35 years.

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

Puerto Rico is now a self-governing territory of the USA.

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026

In politics, much has been made of the rise of monarchies at the expense of formerly self-governing city-states throughout the Greek world.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro