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 of self-determination

• 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

Oil concessions, debt arrangements, and political conditionalities quietly replace self-determination. —Rick Singh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026

Some have argued the military operation leading to Maduro’s arrest violated Venezuela’s right to self-determination. —Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026

Barrot said Venezuela’s opposition should help oversee a peaceful transition of power and hoped the right to self-determination would be exercised by the Venezuelan people. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026

Or by establishing a statute of limitations on self-determination. —Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026

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