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

Examples of self-government in a Sentence

self-government implies faith in the wisdom and essential goodness of the people steely self-government was all that kept her from lashing out at the rude customer championed self-government for the nation's indigenous peoples
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Because as our founders knew so well, human nature recoils all too often at the inconveniences and frustrations of self-government. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025 Religious freedom and freedom of speech make up the engine of self-government and form a bulwark against tyranny. Kristen Waggoner, National Review, 5 July 2025 This experiment in self-government is being challenged by bitter partisanship that make Americans on one side of the political divide view their opposites as enemies, not fellow citizens. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025 To many early Americans, particularly those within the Washington and Adams administrations, self-government rendered popular protest illegitimate and obsolete. Time, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-government

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-government. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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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