definitions

sovereignty

[ sov-rin-tee, suhv- ]
/ ˈsɒv rɪn ti, ˈsʌv- /

noun, plural sov·er·eign·ties.

the quality or state of being sovereign, or of having supreme power or authority.
the status, dominion, power, or authority of a sovereign;royal rank or position; royalty.
supreme and independent power or authority in government as possessed or claimed by a state or community.
rightful status, independence, or prerogative.
a sovereign or independent state, community, or political unit.

RELATED CONTENT

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
Why We Don’t Think Kylie Is “Self-Made”Our dissection of self-made certainly isn't intended to take away from Kylie Jenner's success. But, Forbes's decision to call Jenner self-made still deserves criticism because it ignores one big issue: privilege.
READ MORE

Nearby words

souvlakia, sov language, sov. un., sovereign, sovereigntist, sovereignty, sovereignty association, sovetsk, soviet, soviet bloc, soviet central asia

Origin of sovereignty

1300–50; Middle English soverainte < Anglo-French sovereynete (Old French soverainete), equivalent to soverain sovereign + -ete -ty2

Related forms

self-sov·er·eign·ty, nounsu·per·sov·er·eign·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for self-sovereignty

sovereignty

/ (ˈsɒvrəntɪ) /

noun plural -ties

supreme and unrestricted power, as of a state
the position, dominion, or authority of a sovereign
an independent state
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

Culture definitions for self-sovereignty

sovereignty

[ (sov-ruhn-tee, sov-uhr-uhn-tee) ]

A nation or state's supreme power within its borders. A government might respond, for example, to criticism from foreign governments of its treatment of its own citizens by citing its rights of sovereignty.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.