self-government

[ self-guhv-ern-muhnt, -er-muhnt, self- ]

noun

1. control of the government of a state, community, or other body by its own members; democratic government.
2. the condition of being self-governed.
3. self-control.

self-government

noun

1. the government of a country, nation, etc, by its own people
2. the state of being self-controlled
3. an archaic term for self-control

Derived Forms

• ˌself-ˈgoverned, adjective
• ˌself-ˈgoverning, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-government¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Related Words

• autonomy
• discretion
• flexibility
• immunity
• independence
• sovereignty