autonomy

The word “autonomy” means the freedom to govern or manage oneself independently, without control from others. In plain terms, self-rule — the power to make your own decisions instead of being controlled by someone else.

“Autonomy” is pronounced aw-TON-uh-mee (/ɔˈtɑ.nə.mi/ in IPA).

Here is “autonomy” used in a sentence: “The province was granted autonomy over its own education system.”

“Autonomy” is a noun.

The word “autonomy” comes from Greek. Borrowed from Greek autonomía, "independence," built from autónomos, "living under one's own laws.".

“Autonomy” is a fairly common word in modern English.

'Autonomy' is the freedom to govern or manage oneself, often within a larger system, while 'independence' usually means being fully separate and self-reliant. A region can have autonomy while still belonging to a country, whereas independence implies complete self-rule.

'Freedom' is a broad term for the absence of restriction, while 'autonomy' specifically means the capacity to make one's own decisions and govern oneself. Autonomy is a particular kind of freedom focused on self-direction and control.

'Autonomy' is the freedom to manage one's own affairs, often granted within a larger authority, while 'sovereignty' is supreme, independent authority over a territory. A province may have autonomy, but a fully sovereign state answers to no higher power.

'Autonomy' is often followed by 'from' to show what one is independent of, as in 'autonomy from central government,' or 'over' to show what one controls, as in 'autonomy over local decisions.' 'Greater autonomy' is a very common collocation.