home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (such as a territory or municipality)

Examples of home rule in a Sentence

The citizens petitioned for home rule.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the local level, the Boston City Council on Wednesday is set to reintroduce a home rule petition that would similarly shift the fee to the party, lessor or tenant who hired the broker. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Greenland attained home rule, including its own parliament, in 1979, and took on even greater political autonomy following a 2008 referendum. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

There is also concern about what will happen if Trump revokes the home rule — a 50-year-old law that allows D.C. to manage its own municipal affairs. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 27 Nov. 2024

The home rule charter was approved later that year on Sept. 26 and finally on Feb. 8, 2024, Keystone officially became one of Colorado’s newest towns. —Jessica Alvarado Gamez, The Denver Post, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government in local affairs by the citizens of a local political unit

Legal Definition

home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (as a territory or municipality)

also : the political theory or principle of self-government