self-government

[self-guhv-ern-muhnt, -er-muhnt, self-]

noun

1. control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.

2. the condition of being self-governed.

3. self-control.

self-government

noun

1. the government of a country, nation, etc, by its own people

2. the state of being self-controlled

3. an archaic term for self-control

Other Word Forms

• self-governed adjective
• self-governing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-government¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

The original six were motivated by the ambition to promote the Welsh language and its culture, as well as securing self-government for Wales.

From BBC

It had to be thus, because populism is liberal democracy’s sinister cousin, bearing just enough resemblance to legitimate self-government to be deceptively dangerous.

From Salon

Conservative peer and former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost said such a move would amount to "selling out this country's self-government to a foreign court".

From BBC

Roberts cited vague notions of “self-government” as the driving force in his desire for the United States to confront China.

From Salon

Vance ignored the fact that GOP idol Ronald Reagan repeatedly insisted that "America is freedom" and that what defines America is not an ethnicity but that "we believe in our capacity for self-government."

From Salon

Related Words

• autonomy 
• discretion 
• flexibility 
• immunity 
• independence 
• sovereignty