self-government

noun

self-gov·​ern·​ment ˌself-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 

-ˈgə-vᵊm-ənt

1

: self-control, self-command

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

Synonyms of self-government

• democracy

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

Mayoral powers are limited, but Mamdani can use his popularity to protect New York City’s capacity for self-government from outside interference, while cooperating strategically with the state when necessary. —Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025

America’s experiment in self-government began 250 years ago with the deliberate and inspired design of men who understood the promise and peril of human nature. —Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 9 Nov. 2025

For them, local self-government has become a fortress, and the drawbridge is up. —JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025

Instead of a royal patriarch ruling over voiceless subjects, America would be a fraternity of virtuous (male) citizens, created equal in their potential for self-government. —Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-government

• misgovernment
• nongovernment

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