AUTONOMY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

AUTONOMY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Est. 1828 Dictionary Definition Definition Synonyms Example Sentences Word History Rhymes Entries Near Related Articles Cite this Entry Citation Kids Definition Kids Medical Definition Medical Legal Definition Legal More from M-W Show more Show more Citation Kids Medical Legal More from M-W Save Word To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In autonomy noun au·​ton·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtä-nə-mē plural autonomies Synonyms of autonomy Simple Definition A Simple Definition is available from our Learner's Dictionary to help you understand the meaning faster. 1 : the quality or state of being autonomous: as a : the quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing personal/individual autonomy financial autonomy a person's bodily autonomy has full autonomy to make decisions In your efforts to protect your autonomy , don't forget that relationships require some give and take. — Tatum Hunter specifically , in Kantian philosophy : moral self-determination based on reason b : the quality or state of being self-governing especially : the right of self-government The territory was granted autonomy . 2 : a self-governing state Synonyms of autonomy Relevance choice See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 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 . See More Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback . The album, which was built around live instrumentation, also heralds Staples’ new era as one of newfound autonomy . — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork , 28 Apr. 2026 Trimbath frames this as a debate about free speech and patient autonomy . — Kris Fair, Baltimore Sun , 27 Apr. 2026 Google’s objection focuses on preserving the autonomy for device makers (including Google) to customize AI services. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica , 27 Apr. 2026 Such behavior systematically chips away at a person’s autonomy , Meier said. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today , 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for autonomy Word History Etymology borrowed from New Latin autonomia, borrowed from Greek autonomía "self-governance, independence, licence," from autónomos "independent, autonomous " + -ia -y entry 2 First Known Use 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1b Time Traveler The first known use of autonomy was in 1591 See more words from the same year Rhymes for autonomy aeronomy agronomy astronomy economy gastronomy metonymy taxonomy deuteronomy See All Rhymes for autonomy Browse Nearby Words autonomous underwater vehicle autonomy autonymous See all Nearby Words Articles Related to autonomy 2014 Word of the Year: Culture Here's What this Year's Top Lookups Say About Us Cite this Entry Style MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster “Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy. Accessed 6 May. 2026. Copy Citation Kids Definition autonomy noun au·​ton·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtän-ə-mē plural autonomies : the power or right of self-government 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 autonomous -məs adjective autonomously adverb More from Merriam-Webster on autonomy Nglish: Translation of autonomy for Spanish Speakers Last Updated: 29 Apr 2026 - Updated example sentences Love words? Need even more definitions? Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! 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