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 The suspect is on the town council of Mountain View, a 12-block home rule municipality in the Denver suburbs, the sheriff’s office confirmed to CBS News Colorado. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2024 Lose the Senate to a GOP majority and — with Trump in the Oval Office — say so long to home rule, at least in its present form. Colbert I. King, Washington Post, 19 July 2024 The cities argued that the state Legislature violated home rule, or the right of local governments to set its own policy, in opposition to the Ohio Constitution home rule amendment. Cole Behrens, The Enquirer, 11 Apr. 2024 That’s a perspective not often seen at Florida’s Capitol, and his local government experience is needed to fight the incessant Republican attacks on the home rule power of cities and counties. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for home rule 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'home rule.' 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

1858, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near home rule

Cite this Entry

“Home rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home%20rule. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

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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