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

"Lines on maps started to symbolize the limits of political sovereignties rather than the boundless divine promises. This transformed the way that the Bible's descriptions of geographical space were understood."

From Science Daily

The visit drew sharp condemnation from Syria’s foreign ministry, which called it illegal and a serious violation of the nation’s sovereignty.

From The Wall Street Journal

The joint US-Ukrainian communique offered only an oblique insight, saying the two sides "reaffirmed that any future agreement must fully uphold Ukraine's sovereignty".

From BBC

Every nation must strive to preserve three basic elements of its existence—sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

From The Wall Street Journal

But sovereignty means more than a spot on the map that says Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dominance
• jurisdiction
• supremacy