self-determination

noun

self-de·​ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce self-determination (audio)
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

Recent Examples on the Web The series explores the many contrasts between Japanese and Western cultures through Mariko and Blackthorne’s opposing personal philosophies: Noble suffering versus unfettered self-determination. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2024 Anti-Zionism is a prejudice against the Jewish movement for self-determination and the right of the Jewish people to a homeland in the State of Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2024 That requires leaders, organizers, and laypeople educated and active in building self-determination. Morgan Simon, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 By her early forties, Hoover had become one of the most successful Native American academics in the country, renowned for her work in food sovereignty, the idea that self-determination entails controlling one’s sources of nutrition. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 These guys are not just restricting the rights, self-determination to bear a child for a young woman. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 25 Feb. 2024 The show blends Afrofuturism with classic Americana to enact a sort of creative reparation, reframing an allegory about perseverance and self-determination to feature Black characters who, in the ’70s, had rarely appeared in popular children’s stories. Naveen Kumar, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 Palestinian representatives, will argue that Israel has violated the prohibition on territorial conquest by annexing large swaths of occupied land, has violated the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, and has imposed a system of racial discrimination and apartheid. NBC News, 19 Feb. 2024 Doing so can increase your self-understanding, cultivate self-determination and even help steer your heart. Georgi Gardiner, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 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.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-determination was circa 1670

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 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-determination

noun
self-de·​ter·​mi·​na·​tion
ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən
1
: free choice of one's own acts without outside pressure
2
: the deciding by the people of a place of the form of government they will have

More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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