self-government

noun

self-gov·​ern·​ment ˌself-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt How to pronounce self-government (audio)
-ˈgə-vᵊm-ənt
1
2
: government under the control and direction of the inhabitants of a political unit rather than by an outside authority
broadly : control of one's own affairs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Even then, Madison argued that the residents of this new district would not be denied their right of self-government. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 Mar. 2023 As Charlie Cooke has written, Americans are capable of self-government and can evaluate the risks of different types of stoves themselves. Dominic Pino, National Review, 7 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-government.' 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

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-government was in 1622

Dictionary Entries Near self-government

Cite this Entry

“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-government. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

self-government

noun
self-gov·​ern·​ment
ˈself-ˈgəv-ər(n)-mənt,
-ˈgəv-ᵊm-ənt
1
: control over one's own actions : self-control
2
: government by action of the people making up a community
especially : democratic government
self-governed
-ˈgəv-ərnd
adjective
self-governing
-ər-niŋ
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on self-government

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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