self-government
noun
self-gov·ern·ment
ˌself-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt 
-ˈgə-vᵊm-ənt
1
2
: government under the control and direction of the inhabitants of a political unit rather than by an outside authority
broadly
: control of one's own affairs
Examples of self-government in a Sentence
self-government implies faith in the wisdom and essential goodness of the people
steely self-government was all that kept her from lashing out at the rude customer
championed self-government for the nation's indigenous peoples
Recent Examples on the Web
On this day in 1952: With the establishment of its constitution, Puerto Rico attained self-government as an unincorporated commonwealth of the United States, 54 years after it was invaded by U.S. forces.
—
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
Maintaining and strengthening public broadcasting preserves media diversity and advances important principles of self-government.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
When a president wants to do a decent job — at the least, respecting democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law — the magnet produces an administration of people who respect our institutions of self-government.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Citizens and leaders who cherish self-government and the rule of law should welcome the forthcoming recommendations from the ABA Task Force.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
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Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
Maintaining and strengthening public broadcasting preserves media diversity and advances important principles of self-government.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
When a president wants to do a decent job — at the least, respecting democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law — the magnet produces an administration of people who respect our institutions of self-government.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Citizens and leaders who cherish self-government and the rule of law should welcome the forthcoming recommendations from the ABA Task Force.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-government. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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