self-definition
noun
self-def·i·ni·tion
ˌself-ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən 
: the evaluation by oneself of one's worth as an individual in distinction from one's interpersonal or social roles
Examples of self-definition in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His explorations of identity and self-definition, of the importance of the oral tradition in literature, and of his Kiowa heritage were interwoven with reverent evocations of landscape in passages of soaring lyrical prose.
—
John Motyka, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024
The discussion should be one of thousands on who is entitled to not only life but also self-fulfillment and self-definition.
—Kat McGowan, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024
Themes of transformation, self-definition and defiant self-empowerment recur.
—Beverly Bryan, SPIN, 5 Dec. 2023
This is how the human race has defined itself, and our self-definition is based on that—both as individuals, as nations, as humanity as a whole.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2023
The film wrestles with the twisting journey of self-definition and the mercurial relationships between mothers and daughters.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2023
People had housed important self-definitions in buildings that were at risk of falling over at the slightest tremor.
—J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
Techno-utopians imagined that access to the Internet would free individuals from the constraining bonds of society, encouraging new self-definitions and habits of reasoned debate.
—Vinay Sitapati, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2021
Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images These ideas of self-expression, self-love and self-definition took on new meaning when worn by Schafer.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2023
John Motyka, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2024
The discussion should be one of thousands on who is entitled to not only life but also self-fulfillment and self-definition.
—Kat McGowan, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024
Themes of transformation, self-definition and defiant self-empowerment recur.
—Beverly Bryan, SPIN, 5 Dec. 2023
This is how the human race has defined itself, and our self-definition is based on that—both as individuals, as nations, as humanity as a whole.
—Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2023
The film wrestles with the twisting journey of self-definition and the mercurial relationships between mothers and daughters.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2023
People had housed important self-definitions in buildings that were at risk of falling over at the slightest tremor.
—J.p. Brammer, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023
Techno-utopians imagined that access to the Internet would free individuals from the constraining bonds of society, encouraging new self-definitions and habits of reasoned debate.
—Vinay Sitapati, Foreign Affairs, 24 Nov. 2021
Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images These ideas of self-expression, self-love and self-definition took on new meaning when worn by Schafer.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-definition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near self-definition
Cite this Entry
“Self-definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-definition. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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