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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under state law, the legislature currently preempts all authority of a home rule charter or city government to regulate firearms and ammunition. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025 Lake Bluff has a home rule sales tax of 1 %, which is collected on all goods with the exception of groceries. Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 The deployment of federal troops sparked widespread backlash over constitutional limits and home rule rights. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025 But under home rule law, the president would need approval from Congress to extend the temporary federalization of the city’s police. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for home rule

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of home rule was in 1858

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Cite this Entry

“Home rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home%20rule. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on home rule

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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