self-determination

[self-di-tur-muh-ney-shuhn, self-]

noun

1. determination by oneself or itself, without outside influence.

2. freedom to live as one chooses, or to act or decide without consulting another or others.

3. the determining by the people of the form their government shall have, without reference to the wishes of any other nation, especially by people of a territory or former colony.

self-determination

noun

1. the power or ability to make a decision for oneself without influence from outside

2. the right of a nation or people to determine its own form of government without influence from outside

Other Word Forms

• self-determined adjective
• self-determining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-determination¹

1670–80; 1915–20 self-determination for def. 3

Example Sentences

America’s leadership has come unmoored from the values of equality and self-determination outlined in this country’s founding documents.

From Salon

A ceasefire held for years but left core disputes unresolved — over territory, governance and the right of self-determination for the region’s Armenian population.

From Los Angeles Times

The Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, earlier said recognition of statehood shows growing support for self-determination of its people.

From BBC

Referencing the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea — which includes Israel, The West Bank and the Gaza Strip — the slogan is viewed as a call for freedom and self-determination by Palestinians.

From Los Angeles Times

Recognition of a Palestinian state, the letter added, "will not only reinforce our long-standing commitment to the self-determination of the Palestinian people but also our total rejection of any effort to displace or expel Palestinians".

From BBC

Related Words

• autonomy 
• home rule 
• self-government 
• self-reliance 
• self-rule 
• self-sufficiency www.thesaurus.com
• separation 
• sovereignty