autonomy

/ɑˈtɑnəmi/

/əˈtɒnəmi/

Other forms: autonomies

When a group wants to govern itself or a person wants to make independent decisions, they are looking for autonomy.

Autonomy comes from the Greek roots auto meaning "self" and nomos meaning "custom" or "law." This reflects the political sense of the word — a group's right to self-government or self-rule. When a person seeks autonomy, he or she would like to be able to make decisions independently from an authority figure. Can you relate?

Definitions of autonomy

1. noun

   immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
   synonyms: liberty

   types:

   self-determination, self-government, self-rule

   government by a country's own people rather than by an outside power

   sovereignty

   government free from external control

   local option

   freedom of a local government to determine by popular vote the applicability of a controversial law in their jurisdiction

   home rule

   self-government in local matters by a city or county that is part of a national government

   type of:

   independence, independency

   freedom from control or influence of another or others
2. noun

   personal independence
   synonyms: self-direction, self-reliance, self-sufficiency

   type of:

   independence, independency

   freedom from control or influence of another or others