self-government
noun
self-gov·ern·ment
ˌself-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 
-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
The Founders united in their quest for self-government but differed how to actually govern, and whether self-government could even last.
—
Hillel Italie and Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
If the incumbent ruling establishments in liberal democracies cannot abide the election of popular outsiders, then their promise of offering people self-government is a lie.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The British monarch imposed the Intolerable Acts of 1774 that closed Boston Harbor and restricted self-government in Massachusetts; the president of the United States has sent his border czar to arrest criminal aliens.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
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.
Hillel Italie and Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
If the incumbent ruling establishments in liberal democracies cannot abide the election of popular outsiders, then their promise of offering people self-government is a lie.
—The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The British monarch imposed the Intolerable Acts of 1774 that closed Boston Harbor and restricted self-government in Massachusetts; the president of the United States has sent his border czar to arrest criminal aliens.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-government. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share