Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

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:

In the 1990s many people hoped that the Oslo process, which established interim Palestinian self-governing authority, would lead to Palestinian statehood and mutual recognition.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 11, 2026

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 Faroes, a self-governing nation in the Kingdom of Denmark, are home to some 54,000 people while Shetland has a population of around 23,000.

From BBC Jun. 29, 2026

Taiwan and China’s claims on the self-governing island didn’t come up the last time Trump and Xi met in South Korea, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal May 10, 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