self-determination

noun

self-de·​ter·​mi·​na·​tion ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: free choice of one's own acts or states without external compulsion

2

: determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status

Synonyms

• accord
• autonomy
• choice
• free will
• volition
• will

Examples of self-determination in a Sentence

the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination

rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination

Recent Examples on the Web

On June 26, 1975, agents came to Pine Ridge to serve arrest warrants amid battles over Native treaty rights and self-determination. —CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025

Garvey, father of the Pan-Africanist movement, civil & human rts leader, entrepreneur & global icon symbolizes Black liberation & self-determination. —David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025

For an agreement that would enable self-determination, freedom of movement, fair land ownership for the people. —Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025

Locked into agreements with institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), its economic self-determination was severely constrained. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

self-determination

noun

self-de·​ter·​mi·​na·​tion

ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən

1

: free choice of one's own acts without outside pressure

2

: the deciding by the people of a place of the form of government they will have