autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē 
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being self-governing
2
: self-directing freedom and especially moral independence
personal autonomy
3
: a self-governing state
Examples of autonomy in a Sentence
The Catalans take the matter of their language very seriously; it is an outward indication of their autonomy, of their distinction from the rest of Spain.
—
Polly Evans, It's Not About the Tapas, 2006
The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, become colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installed—all without the consent of the subjugated state.
—Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002
The social payoff of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down approach to economic recovery.
—Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002
Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence from the will of others. This way of thinking reflects just the kind of distinction—between oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a part—that Dewey considered false.
—Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001
a teacher who encourages individual autonomy
The territory has been granted autonomy.
Polly Evans, It's Not About the Tapas, 2006
The term empire implies more than simple cultural dominance or preeminent military power. It applies to states that use force to occupy and control a group of other states or regions. The conquered states, robbed of autonomy and political independence, become colonies, provinces, or territories of the imperial power. Taxes are levied, laws are imposed, soldiers are conscripted, governors are installed—all without the consent of the subjugated state.
—Michael J. Glennon, Wilson Quarterly, Summer 2002
The social payoff of the new knowledge would be new technology, then new industries and new jobs. Compton got nowhere with the administration, partly because he was an anti-New Dealer, partly because the government was unwilling to grant scientists the autonomy that they claimed, and partly because his program represented a trickle-down approach to economic recovery.
—Daniel J. Kevles, New Republic, 30 Sept. 2002
Usually, Americans think of freedom as a condition of personal autonomy, independence from the will of others. This way of thinking reflects just the kind of distinction—between oneself and the rest of the group of which one is a part—that Dewey considered false.
—Louis Menand, The Metaphysical Club, 2001
a teacher who encourages individual autonomy
The territory has been granted autonomy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stop micromanaging teams to death—a little autonomy helps.
—Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Read More: What the History of Saint Augustine Can Teach us About Pope Leo XIV
Despite setting limits on the autonomy of the American Church, the social teachings of Leo XIII had enormous influence on Catholicism in the U.S., especially after the horrors of World War I.
—Time, 29 May 2025
Managers can inspire creative thinking — and better results — by giving their teams more autonomy over how an idea is created, or how a goal is reached, psychologist Teresa M. Amabile wrote for the Harvard Business Review in 1998.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 28 May 2025
In China, too, rapid economic growth and upward mobility have meant people today value individualism and autonomy more than previous generations, according to a 2018 study – reflected in the steady rise of parents choosing unique characters in their babies’ names.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jon Michail, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Read More: What the History of Saint Augustine Can Teach us About Pope Leo XIV
Despite setting limits on the autonomy of the American Church, the social teachings of Leo XIII had enormous influence on Catholicism in the U.S., especially after the horrors of World War I.
—Time, 29 May 2025
Managers can inspire creative thinking — and better results — by giving their teams more autonomy over how an idea is created, or how a goal is reached, psychologist Teresa M. Amabile wrote for the Harvard Business Review in 1998.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 28 May 2025
In China, too, rapid economic growth and upward mobility have meant people today value individualism and autonomy more than previous generations, according to a 2018 study – reflected in the steady rise of parents choosing unique characters in their babies’ names.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
-mē
plural autonomies
1
: the quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing
2
: independence from the organism as a whole in the capacity of a part for growth, reactivity, or responsiveness
Legal Definition
autonomy
noun
au·ton·o·my
ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē
: the quality or state of being self-governing
especially
: the right of self-government
autonomously
adverb
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