autonomously

[ aw-ton-uh-muhs-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is self-governing or free of outside control; independently:

   The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and without supervision.

2. with little or no human control or intervention:

   We have developed a service robot that operates autonomously, in concert with a network of devices in its environment.

3. Biology.
   1. as an independent organism:

      Viruses, on the boundary between living and nonliving, cannot autonomously reproduce but require the biochemistry and structure of a host cell.

   2. naturally or spontaneously, without cultivation:

      They organized a work day to get rid of the plants growing wildly, autonomously, and unwantedly all around the building.

Other Words From

• non·au·ton·o·mous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of autonomously¹

autonomous ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Built in 2021, the abolitionist pods are autonomously irrigated, solar-powered geodesic domes that serve as hubs for community empowerment and healing.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Model S and Model X at this point can drive autonomously with greater safety than a person, right now,” Musk said in 2016, according to a clip that some say has been altered.

From Los Angeles Times

One or more such cargo planes could be towed by a jet, also carrying cargo, to their destination where they would land autonomously.

From BBC

A fire was lit in a bin and the aircraft worked together autonomously to spot it, according to researchers, before mimicking dropping as if to put it out.

From BBC

“We know that each unit or cell can operate autonomously; they don’t have to refer to the central command for instructions,” Khashan said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• freely
• individually
• separately