self-determination
noun
self-de·ter·mi·na·tion
ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: free choice of one's own acts or states without external compulsion
2
: determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status
Examples of self-determination in a Sentence
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
Recent Examples on the Web
By embedding access, authorship and representation into the filmmaking, the project reflects the principles of self-determination and leadership that the movement demanded.
—
Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Hathaway has pointed to Mejia’s views on Israel, emphasizing an instance at a party forum earlier this year when the Democratic candidate did not raise her hand in support of a question about whether Jewish people have the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
The Tate show, which surveys the efforts of Nigerian artists and artistic groups both before and after the country declared national independence from British colonial rule, underscores the spirit of self-determination, and of aesthetic and artistic inquiry, that drew Lawrence in the first place.
—Michael Lobel, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
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Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
Hathaway has pointed to Mejia’s views on Israel, emphasizing an instance at a party forum earlier this year when the Democratic candidate did not raise her hand in support of a question about whether Jewish people have the right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2026
Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
The Tate show, which surveys the efforts of Nigerian artists and artistic groups both before and after the country declared national independence from British colonial rule, underscores the spirit of self-determination, and of aesthetic and artistic inquiry, that drew Lawrence in the first place.
—Michael Lobel, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-determination. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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