self-determination
noun
self-de·ter·mi·na·tion
ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: free choice of one's own acts or states without external compulsion
2
: determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status
Examples of self-determination in a Sentence
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
Recent Examples on the Web
The novel is an inventive ode to self-determination and also a surrealistic vision of Black life as forged within the crucible of American history.
—
The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Both Egypt and Jordan have rejected such an idea in the past for fear of being seen as interfering in Palestinian self-determination.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024
Democratic voters, and younger Americans generally, have become critical of Israel’s long-standing denial of Palestinian human rights and national self-determination.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2024
Others are activists and legislators who have advocated self-determination for Hong Kong with more confrontational tactics.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Every country that believes in freedom, democracy, self-determination, would want peace everywhere in the world and that is why Kenya's stepping forward to provide the leadership in Haiti.
—Abc News, ABC News, 24 May 2024
Simon Harris, who announced the decision in a press conference, likened Palestinians’ bid for self-determination to the Irish people’s history seeking international recognition of their independence in 1919.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 22 May 2024
For many, that equates to the right of the Jewish people to have their own state and self-determination in an ancestral homeland after centuries of oppression and ostracism in much of the world.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
Freedom, to me, is the right of self-determination and human dignity.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2024
The New Yorker, 12 June 2024
Both Egypt and Jordan have rejected such an idea in the past for fear of being seen as interfering in Palestinian self-determination.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024
Democratic voters, and younger Americans generally, have become critical of Israel’s long-standing denial of Palestinian human rights and national self-determination.
—Dahlia Scheindlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2024
Others are activists and legislators who have advocated self-determination for Hong Kong with more confrontational tactics.
—Tiffany May, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Every country that believes in freedom, democracy, self-determination, would want peace everywhere in the world and that is why Kenya's stepping forward to provide the leadership in Haiti.
—Abc News, ABC News, 24 May 2024
Simon Harris, who announced the decision in a press conference, likened Palestinians’ bid for self-determination to the Irish people’s history seeking international recognition of their independence in 1919.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 22 May 2024
For many, that equates to the right of the Jewish people to have their own state and self-determination in an ancestral homeland after centuries of oppression and ostracism in much of the world.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2024
Freedom, to me, is the right of self-determination and human dignity.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-determination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near self-determination
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-determination. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share