home rule

American  

noun

1. self-government in local matters by a city, province, state, colony, or the like.

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home rule ¹ British  

noun

1. self-government, esp in domestic affairs

2. government the partial autonomy of cities and (in some states) counties, under which they manage their own affairs, with their own charters, etc, within the limits set by the state constitution and laws

3. the partial autonomy sometimes granted to a national minority or a colony

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Home Rule ² British  

noun

1. self-government for Ireland: the goal of the Irish Nationalists from about 1870 to 1920

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Etymology

Origin of home rule

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

"We have always worked towards independence when we got home rule in 1979 and more independence in 2009."

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

But Denmark granted it home rule in 1979, and its 57,000 inhabitants retain the right to vote for independence.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

Local leaders have protested the move, calling it an unprecedented intrusion on home rule.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

Serrott agreed, finding that the law was only designed to prevent cities from exercising home rule.

From Seattle Times • May 20, 2024

After he had passed his nineteenth year and was nearing his majority he began to chafe and grow restless under the restraints of home rule.

From Abraham Lincoln, Volume 1 (of 2) The True Story Of A Great Life by Herndon, William H.

Related Words

• self-determination
• self-rule