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self-driven

American  
[self-driv-uhn, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈdrɪv ən, ˈsɛlf- /

adjective

  1. (of a machine) containing its own power source, as an engine or motor.


Etymology

Origin of self-driven

First recorded in 1780–90

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.

See Examples For:

“Whether or not you end up doing that, it puts you on a path of just thinking bigger, going above and beyond, having the incentive of self-driven goals that just ultimately build better community members.”

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 28, 2026

As Aseema Sinha, author of Globalizing India: How Global Rules and Markets are Shaping India's Rise to Power, observed, this period was marked by "a self-driven industrialisation drive, export pessimism, and suspicion of global alliances".

From BBC Feb. 4, 2025

Llewellyn said Killough-Wilhelm is one of the most motivated, self-driven gymnasts she’d ever met, fueled by a “pure passion” for the sport.

From Seattle Times Mar. 7, 2024

Mr. Rodriguez described the bot as a useful “co-teacher” that allowed him to devote extra time to children who needed guidance while enabling more self-driven students to plow ahead.

From New York Times Jun. 26, 2023

He can readily remove the pain he has carelessly caused; but rasp and file can never dull those self-driven points which rankle in our tortured flesh, each onward step forcing them deeper and deeper in.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 16, No. 95, September 1865 by Various

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