sovereignty

American  

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

noun

plural

sovereignties

1. the quality or state of being sovereign, or of having supreme power or authority.

2. the status, dominion, power, or authority of a sovereign; royal rank or position; royalty.

3. supreme and independent power or authority in government as possessed or claimed by a state or community.

4. rightful status, independence, or prerogative.

5. a sovereign or independent state, community, or political unit.

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sovereignty British  

/ ˈsɒvrəntɪ /

noun

1. supreme and unrestricted power, as of a state

2. the position, dominion, or authority of a sovereign

3. an independent state

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sovereignty Cultural  

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• self-sovereignty noun
• supersovereignty noun

Etymology

Origin of sovereignty

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English soverainte, from Anglo-French sovereynete, from Old French soverainete, equivalent to soverain sovereign + -ete -ty ²

Example Sentences

“We have said it very clearly before … National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law … You cannot annex other countries,” the statement read.

From Salon

"The ministers agreed to continue their close bilateral cooperation and to coordinate their actions on the international stage, particularly at the UN, in order to ensure respect for state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs."

From Barron's

Beijing’s arms programs, it said, are entirely meant for “safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“We must assume the urgent need to advance toward macroeconomic stability…Without economic efficiency, sovereignty is not possible.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“We must understand…how to resist attempts to limit our sovereignty. We will determine for ourselves how many we need and what model we have,” he told a panel in December.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dominance
• jurisdiction
• supremacy