sovereignty
Americannoun
plural
sovereignties-
the quality or state of being sovereign, or of having supreme power or authority.
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the status, dominion, power, or authority of a sovereign; royal rank or position; royalty.
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supreme and independent power or authority in government as possessed or claimed by a state or community.
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rightful status, independence, or prerogative.
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a sovereign or independent state, community, or political unit.
noun
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supreme and unrestricted power, as of a state
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the position, dominion, or authority of a sovereign
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an independent state
Other Word Forms
- self-sovereignty noun
- supersovereignty noun
Etymology
Origin of sovereignty
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English soverainte, from Anglo-French sovereynete, from Old French soverainete, equivalent to soverain sovereign + -ete -ty 2
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.
Meanwhile governments -- especially in Europe -- are engaged in a push for technological sovereignty to insulate their tech infrastructure from geopolitical tensions.
From Barron's
He told us his focus as prime minister would be to restore "sovereignty" as well as "peace and democracy" in Nepal.
From BBC
International reactions to conflict have been mixed, with Pope Leo XIV urging both sides to end "the spiral of violence", while China condemned Khamenei's killing as a "serious violation of Iran's sovereignty".
From Barron's
The legislation, which is in force as of March 1, "paves the way for Vietnam to deeply integrate with international standards while maintaining digital sovereignty", the government said in a December report.
From Barron's
The demonstrations saw hundreds arrested and injured, drawing the attention of the United Nations, which raised concerns over potential violations of Indigenous sovereignty.
From Barron's
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.
