autonomy
Americannoun
plural
autonomies-
independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions.
the autonomy of the individual.
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the condition of being autonomous; self-government or the right of self-government.
The rebels demanded autonomy from Spain.
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a self-governing community.
noun
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the right or state of self-government, esp when limited
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a state, community, or individual possessing autonomy
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freedom to determine one's own actions, behaviour, etc
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philosophy
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the doctrine that the individual human will is or ought to be governed only by its own principles and laws See also categorical imperative
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the state in which one's actions are autonomous
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Other Word Forms
- autonomist noun
Etymology
Origin of autonomy
First recorded in 1615–25; from Greek autonomía “independence,” equivalent to autónom(os) autonomous + -ia -y 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Horning, operating without corporate resources and with more autonomy, shut the resort down.
The new robots are bigger, tougher and better equipped for autonomy than their predecessors.
From Los Angeles Times
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have argued that the law is necessary to maintain stability and deny it has weakened autonomy.
From BBC
His work set a precedent for autonomy and creative control as hip-hop became a commercial juggernaut in the ’90s.
From Los Angeles Times
The world's changing geopolitical and security situation has made European leaders rethink their approach to space, with added urgency, and look to establish more autonomy.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
