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Synonyms

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.

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

"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
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.

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The government said earlier that this constitutes a violation of the country's sovereignty.

From BBC

He urged Lebanon and Israel to use the Unifil mechanism for dialogue, saying "the bottom line is that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon needs to be respected".

From BBC

“This is intended to be a group that works together to ensure we’re defending our own sovereignty, we’re each defending our own security and economic prosperity,” Noem said at the summit.

From Salon

Gen Bewick says he's now working in close co-operation with the Cypriot authorities, but stresses the UK's sovereignty of the base "is not up for debate".

From BBC

“A lot of our families are feeling the impacts right now of higher prices and things being cut. A lot of our healthcare benefits are being cut ... and our tribal sovereignty is being threatened.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.