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

Ekko Astral launched Liberation Weekend in 2025 alongside the Gender Liberation Movement, a grassroots collective fighting for trans people’s rights to bodily autonomy and self-determination on a national scale. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026

Just self-determination, just getting up and doing it. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

Iranians should, at least, acknowledge why its ethnic minorities might dream of self-determination rather than assimilation. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

This theme of self-determination is also omnipresent in Obama’s new book, The Look, which also explores her style evolution, identity, and presentation. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 22 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