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

Synonyms

• choice
• autonomy

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

For them, real change will only begin when accountability, reparations, statehood, the right of return, the rebuilding of Gaza, and self-determination are realized—not when peace is defined by the terms of their occupier. —Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Owning her anger gave her a greater sense of agency and self-determination. —Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025

Organized by Native Americans in Philanthropy, the 16-to-24-year-old participants said the inclusive process reflected Indian Country values of self-determination and intergenerational relationship-building that more donors should embrace. —Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

The Sahrawi people continue to live in exile and in diaspora, deprived of their right to self-determination and sovereignty. —Vogue, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-determination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

self-determination

noun

self-de·​ter·​mi·​na·​tion

ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən

1

: free choice of one's own acts without outside pressure

2

: the deciding by the people of a place of the form of government they will have