autonomous

[ aw-ton-uh-muhs ]

adjective

1. Government.
   1. self-governing; independent; subject to its own laws only.
   2. pertaining to an autonomy, or a self-governing community.
2. having autonomy; not subject to control from outside; independent:

   a subsidiary that functioned as an autonomous unit.

3. (of a machine, device, etc.) able to operate with little or no human control or intervention:

   an autonomous vehicle.

4. Biology.
   1. existing and functioning as an independent organism.
   2. growing naturally or spontaneously, without cultivation.

autonomous

/ ɔːˈtɒnəməs /

adjective

1. (of a community, country, etc) possessing a large degree of self-government
2. of or relating to an autonomous community
3. independent of others
4. philosophy
   1. acting or able to act in accordance with rules and principles of one's own choosing
   2. (in the moral philosophy of Kant, of an individual's will) directed to duty rather than to some other end Compare heteronomous See also categorical imperative
5. biology existing as an organism independent of other organisms or parts
6. a variant spelling of autonomic

Derived Forms

• auˈtonomously, adverb

Other Words From

• au·ton·o·mous·ly adverb
• non·au·ton·o·mous adjective
• non·au·ton·o·mous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomous¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Greek autónomos “with laws of one's own, independent,” equivalent to auto- auto- ¹ + nóm(os) “law, custom” + -os adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomous¹

C19: from Greek autonomos living under one's own laws, from auto- + nomos law

Example Sentences

"Since LiDAR technology is already implemented widely in devices such as autonomous cars, smartphones and robots," Huang concludes, "our method enriches their capabilities with surface property measurement at very small scales."

From Science Daily

“Our service has matured quickly and our riders are embracing the many benefits of fully autonomous driving.”

From Los Angeles Times

In November 2023, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass asked state regulators to increase their scrutiny of companies that operate autonomous vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

Anduril, which manufactures autonomous weapons systems, including submarine drones, has said it would use the additional investment “to increase hiring, enhance processes, upgrade tooling, increase resiliency in its supply chain and expand infrastructure.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nor is it unique: Australia has the greatest number of autonomous trucks and other mining equipment of any country, and other mining companies in the Pilbara also use the technology.

From BBC

Related Words

• self-governing
• sovereign