Standard Lemma guide

self-rule

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Rule of a group of people by their own leaders as opposed to rule imposed by a foreign government or people.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • Britain resumed direct control of North Ireland after just nine weeks of self-rule.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: self-government

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

government of a political unit by its own people

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: self-government, self-determination

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: autonomy, liberty

Narrower terms: sovereignty, local option, home rule

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbh-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English rule English self-rule From self- + rule.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: selvstyre — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Esperanto: memregado — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Finnish: itsehallinto — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • French: autoadministration — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Galician: goberno autónomo — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Greek: αυτοκυβέρνηση (aftokyvérnisi) — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Irish: féinriail — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Punjabi: ਸ੍ਵਰਾਜ (svrāj) — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Russian: самоуправление (samoupravlenije) — rule of a group of people by their own leaders
  • Swedish: självstyre — rule of a group of people by their own leaders