home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (such as a territory or municipality)

Examples of home rule in a Sentence

The citizens petitioned for home rule.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, enacting a recall ordinance would not be possible because Clarendon Hills is not a home rule municipality, and Illinois law does not permit a local recall process to remove sitting Village Board members. —Chuck Fieldman, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

Palmer, as well as the challengers, also support changing the city of Willow Park to a home rule charter. —Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2026

The home rule petition was sponsored by Councilor Henry Santana, and approved by the City Council by an 11-2 vote on April 15. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

Despite his battles over work-from-home rules, the governor insisted repeatedly over the past year that all state workers would be getting good raises. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for home rule

• minuscule
• molecule
• overrule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule

Kids Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government in local affairs by the citizens of a local political unit

Legal Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (as a territory or municipality)

also : the political theory or principle of self-government