self-governing

adjective

self-gov·​ern·​ing ˌself-ˈgə-vər-niŋ How to pronounce self-governing (audio)
: having control or rule over oneself
specifically : having self-government : autonomous

Examples of self-governing in a Sentence

she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18 a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region
Recent Examples on the Web Administration officials heralded the law as liberation from the constant vulnerability of relying on chip-makers in Taiwan, a self-governing island only 100 miles off the Chinese coast that is claimed by Beijing. Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023 Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control. Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023 The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force. Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023 The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023 Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable. Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023 Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own. Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023 The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s. CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023 The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-governing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-governing was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near self-governing

Cite this Entry

“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-governing. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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