autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē 
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being autonomous: as
a
: the quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing
personal/individual autonomy
financial autonomy
a person's bodily autonomy
has full autonomy to make decisions
In your efforts to protect your autonomy, don't forget that relationships require some give and take.—
Tatum Hunter
Tatum Hunter
specifically, in Kantian philosophy
: moral self-determination based on reason
b
: the quality or state of being self-governing
especially
: the right of self-government
The territory was granted autonomy.
2
: a self-governing state
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.
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 on the Web
Proposals for greater autonomy, even for a secession in order to become part of Norway, have been floated.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Although advertised as a move to forge its financial autonomy, the FBS bottom feeder instead has become one of the most heavily subsidized athletic departments in America.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Nov. 2025
First scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture Together, the companies are creating the first scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture jointly developed by next-generation defense leaders in Europe and the United States.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025
Wilton Rancheria lost its federal recognition and its autonomy to govern in 1959, when the California Rancheria Termination Acts were enacted.
—JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Although advertised as a move to forge its financial autonomy, the FBS bottom feeder instead has become one of the most heavily subsidized athletic departments in America.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Nov. 2025
First scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture Together, the companies are creating the first scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture jointly developed by next-generation defense leaders in Europe and the United States.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025
Wilton Rancheria lost its federal recognition and its autonomy to govern in 1959, when the California Rancheria Termination Acts were enacted.
—JosÉ Luis Villegas, Sacbee.com, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
-mē
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing
2
: independence from the organism as a whole in the capacity of a part for growth, reactivity, or responsiveness
Legal Definition
autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē
: the quality or state of being self-governing
especially
: the right of self-government
autonomously
adverb
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