Dictionary.com
definitions

self-government

[ self-guhv-ern-muh nt, -er-muh nt, self- ]
/ ˌsɛlfˈgʌv ərn mənt, -ər mənt, ˈsɛlf- /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR self-government ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.
the condition of being self-governed.
self-control.

RELATED CONTENT

self-fulfilling prophecyRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
What Is A “Self-Own”?There aren’t many better places, it seems, to celebrate the mistakes of others than on social media. Naturally, this is the arena where self-own has had great popularity. So, what does it mean?
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

autonomy, flexibility, discretion, immunity, sovereignty, independence, right, indulgence, bent, facility, abandonment, sweep, leeway, independency, prerogative, liberty, laxity, latitude, scope, play

Nearby words

  1. self-generating,
  2. self-generation,
  3. self-glorification,
  4. self-governed,
  5. self-governing,
  6. self-gratification,
  7. self-hardening,
  8. self-harm,
  9. self-hatred,
  10. self-heal

Origin of self-government

First recorded in 1725–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-government

British Dictionary definitions for self-government

self-government

noun

the government of a country, nation, etc, by its own people
the state of being self-controlled
an archaic term for self-control
Derived Formsself-governed, adjectiveself-governing, 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
Word Origin and History for self-government

self-government

n.

1734, of persons; 1798, of states, from self- + government. Related: Self-governing (1680s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper