autonomy

noun au·ton·o·my \ ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: autonomy in a Sentence

Editor's Note: autonomy Has Origins in Law

Definition of autonomy

plural autonomies

1 : the quality or state of being self-governing; especially : the right of self-government

The territory was granted autonomy.

2 : self-directing freedom and especially moral independence

personal autonomy

3 : a self-governing state

See autonomy defined for English-language learners

See autonomy defined for kids

Examples of autonomy in a Sentence

The Catalans take the matter of their language very seriously; it is an outward indication of their autonomy, of their distinction from the rest of Spain. —Polly Evans, It's Not About the Tapas, 2006
The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, become colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installed—all without the consent of the subjugated state. —Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002
The social payoff of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down approach to economic recovery. —Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002
Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence from the will of others. This way of thinking reflects just the kind of distinction—between oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a part—that Dewey considered false. —Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001
a teacher who encourages individual autonomy
The territory has been granted autonomy.

Recent Examples of autonomy from the Web

The ability to be in control of their own fertility and reproduction gave women a profound new autonomy over their own bodies, their health, and their sexuality.

— carolyn todd, Allure, "The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America," 12 July 2018
Yet in neither case did extra autonomy sate nationalist appetites.

— The Economist, "The siren call of separatism," 12 July 2018
Young people are uniquely and disproportionately affected when bodily autonomy is limited; they often are dismissed when voicing their opinions on their own lives, and have the fewest financial and legal resources to assert their rights.

— yamani hernandez, Teen Vogue, "Abortion Funds Can Help Preserve Reproductive Rights With or Without the Supreme Court," 12 July 2018
Parents whose children attended the school and Discovery officials attributed some of the failure to their belief that school officials were unsupportive and in some cases undermined their ability to operate with enough autonomy.

— liz bowie, baltimoresun.com, "Proposed Baltimore County charter school takes application fight to state officials," 10 July 2018
As autonomy begins to take over later this century, this fun part may be exactly the sort of driving activity that survives.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "This Week in the Future of Cars: Lofty Goals, Raw Ambition," 7 July 2018
Construction began in 1996 as Israel and the Palestinians were negotiating interim agreements that set up the Palestinian autonomy government and were widely expected to lead the way to an independent Palestinian state.

— Washington Post, "AP PHOTOS: Unfinished Palestinian parliament a grim symbol," 6 July 2018
But many in the city believe that its freedoms and relative autonomy are already eroding.

— new york times, BostonGlobe.com, "Thousands protest in Hong Kong on China influence," 1 July 2018
The Principality of Catalonia enjoyed autonomy until King Philip V abolished its constitution and national assembly.

— elaine heinzman, Smithsonian, "How Soup Nourishes Barcelona’s Tradition of Welcoming Immigrants," 30 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autonomy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

autonomy Has Origins in Law

Since nomos is Greek for "law", something autonomous makes its own laws. The amount of autonomy enjoyed by French-speaking Quebec, or of Palestinians in certain towns in Israel, or of independent-minded regions of Russia, have become major issues. The autonomy of individual states in the United States has posed serious constitutional questions for two centuries. The autonomy of children is almost always limited by their parents. But when those parents are elderly and begin driving poorly and getting confused about their finances, their children may see the need to limit their autonomy in much the same way.