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

Derived Forms

• ˌself-deˈtermined, adjective
• ˌself-deˈtermining, adjective

Other Words From

• self-de·termined adjective
• self-de·termin·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-determination¹

1670–80; 1915–20 self-determination fordef 3

Example Sentences

According to the Supreme Court of Canada, the right to self-determination outweighs other interests, “including what physicians may think is in the patient’s best interests.”

From Salon

The controversial Treaty Principles Bill would end the Māori right of self-determination outlined in a nearly 200-year-old treaty, opposition parties say.

From Salon

“Is the shared value between those voters autonomy, and self-determination, which is inherently a reproductive justice value?”

From Salon

This is about women's basic right to self-determination, inside the voting booth and out.

From Salon

"They don't believe in that kind of self-determination as a right."

From Salon

Related Words

• autonomy
• home rule
• self-government
• self-reliance
• self-rule
• self-sufficiency
• separation
• sovereignty