noun
Common
sovereignty
SOV-ruhn-tee
Sovereignty (noun) means Supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control. Example: “The islanders voted to protect their sovereignty over their own fishing waters.”
noun
1
Supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control.
"The islanders voted to protect their sovereignty over their own fishing waters."
"The country fought hard to preserve its sovereignty after the war."
"Debates over regional sovereignty continue to divide the union."
How to use sovereignty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe right and power of a country (or person) to rule itself without outside interference.
Common pairings
national sovereignty
assert sovereignty
threat to sovereignty
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Word forms
- Plural
- sovereignties
Fill the gap
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The islanders voted to protect their _____ over their own fishing waters.
Etymology
From Old French soveraineté, from soverain ("sovereign") plus the noun-forming suffix -té.
Synonyms
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autonomy
self-rule
self-governance
independence
supremacy
dominion
reign
sovereigndom
sovereignhood
sovereignness
sovereignship
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sovereignty” mean?
The word “sovereignty” means supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control. In plain terms, the right and power of a country (or person) to rule itself without outside interference.
How do you pronounce “sovereignty”?
“Sovereignty” is pronounced SOV-ruhn-tee (/ˈsɑv(ə)ɹənti/ in IPA).
How do you use “sovereignty” in a sentence?
Here is “sovereignty” used in a sentence: “The country fought hard to preserve its sovereignty after the war.”
What is another word for “sovereignty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sovereignty” include sovereigndom, sovereignhood, sovereignness and sovereignship.
What part of speech is “sovereignty”?
“Sovereignty” is a noun.
Where does the word “sovereignty” come from?
The word “sovereignty” comes from Old French. From Old French soveraineté, from soverain ("sovereign") plus the noun-forming suffix -té.
Is “sovereignty” a common word?
“Sovereignty” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between sovereignty and independence?
Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority a nation holds to govern itself without outside control, while independence describes the state of not being ruled or controlled by another country. A nation can be independent yet have its sovereignty challenged or limited by external pressures, treaties, or interventions.
Can sovereignty apply to something other than a nation?
Yes, sovereignty can extend to concepts like tribal sovereignty, popular sovereignty, or personal autonomy, wherever supreme authority over a domain is being described. In its core political sense, though, it most often refers to a state's self-governing power.
What is national sovereignty?
National sovereignty is the principle that a country has the supreme authority to make its own laws and decisions without interference from other nations. It underpins concepts like territorial integrity and self-determination in international law.
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