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
This set him on a collision course with Zionism, the belief in Jewish self-determination in the Jewish people’s ancestral homeland.
—
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Regardless of the outcome, the revocation is a significant rebuke to states’ self-determination and, more specifically, any state hoping to push the nation to quickly abandon fossil fuels in favor of electrification for vehicles.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Their early investments and regulatory innovations could help shape the national cannabis economy while continuing the longstanding tribal tradition of economic resilience and self-determination.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Palestinians must be allowed their fundamental right to self-determination.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
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.
Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Regardless of the outcome, the revocation is a significant rebuke to states’ self-determination and, more specifically, any state hoping to push the nation to quickly abandon fossil fuels in favor of electrification for vehicles.
—Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Their early investments and regulatory innovations could help shape the national cannabis economy while continuing the longstanding tribal tradition of economic resilience and self-determination.
—Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
Palestinians must be allowed their fundamental right to self-determination.
—Daoud Kuttab, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
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 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share