Autonomy
noun /ɔːˈtɒn.ə.mi/ — The right or condition of self-governance; freedom from external control.
Definition
The right or condition of self-governance; independence from external authority. Also: the capacity of a rational individual to make informed, uncoerced decisions. Autonomy is not isolation — it is the ability to choose.
Beyond the definition
Autonomy is one of the deepest human needs — not to be free from all constraint, but to be the author of one's own choices. The loss of autonomy, however benevolent the authority, hollows something essential.
Origin & history
Greek: 'autos' (self) + 'nomos' (law). To give oneself law — to be self-governing. The concept is central to Kantian ethics: the autonomous moral agent chooses according to reason, not inclination.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She negotiated for creative autonomy as part of her contract — the salary mattered less than the freedom.
Kant believed autonomy was the foundation of moral worth: the ability to act according to self-given principle.
Regional autonomy was the compromise: not independence, but the right to make decisions locally.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Autonomy” when the meaning fits your context: The right or condition of self-governance; independence from external authority. Also: the capacity of a rational individual to make informed, uncoerced decisions. Autonomy is not isolation — it is the ability to choose.
Synonyms
independence, self-governance, freedom, sovereignty
Antonyms
dependency, subservience, subjugation
Related words
Autonomy vs sovereignty
Autonomy denotes a degree of self-rule within a larger framework. Sovereignty is the complete, final authority that recognizes no higher power.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Walking Alone on Mountain Ridge
An adult walks alone along a high, narrow mountain ridge path with a simple wooden staff.
The walker’s choice of the solitary path is an act of autonomy, demonstrating their capacity to make a rational, uncoerced decision to move through the world in their own way.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Autonomy" mean?
Autonomy is noun meaning: The right or condition of self-governance; freedom from external control.. The right or condition of self-governance; independence from external authority. Also: the capacity of a rational individual to make informed, uncoerced decisions. Autonomy is not isolation — it is the ability to choose.
Where does the word "Autonomy" come from?
Greek: 'autos' (self) + 'nomos' (law). To give oneself law — to be self-governing. The concept is central to Kantian ethics: the autonomous moral agent chooses according to reason, not inclination.