Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having the power or right to govern itself; independent from external control: Describes a political body, organization, or entity that makes its own laws and manages its own affairs without being subject to an outside authority.
   • Autonomous; sovereign: Functioning independently, especially in terms of political rule or administration.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The island became a self-governing territory after the treaty was signed.
  • A self-governing community should be able to set its own local taxes.
  • The university has a self-governing council that makes all academic decisions.

Advanced Usage

• "To be self-governing": To possess and exercise the authority of self-rule.
  • The colony's ultimate goal was to be fully self-governing.
• Used in political and organizational contexts: The term is most commonly applied to nations, states, regions, or institutions (like universities or professional bodies) that have a high degree of internal control.
  • The professional association is a self-governing body that sets its own ethical standards.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-government (n): The act or system of governing oneself.
  • The movement advocated for greater self-government.
• Self-governance (n): Synonym for self-government; the ability to control one's own affairs.
  • The principles of local self-governance are important for democracy.

Synonyms

• Autonomous: Having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs.
• Independent: Not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; free from outside control.
• Sovereign: Possessing supreme or ultimate power, especially over a political body.

Antonyms

• Dependent: Relying on or controlled by someone or something else.
• Subordinate: Lower in rank or position; subject to the authority or control of another.
• Colonial: Relating to or characteristic of a colony, which is typically controlled by a distant parent state.

Related Phrases

• Self-rule: A phrase synonymous with self-government.
  • The region achieved self-rule after decades of struggle.
• Home rule: The government of a colony, dependent country, or region by its own citizens, often used in specific historical or political contexts.
  • The campaign for Irish home rule was a major political issue.

Adjective

1. (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
   • an autonomous judiciary
   • a sovereign state