# autonomy

/əˈtɑnəmi/ (US) · /ɔːtˈɒnəmi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/autonomy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. political self-rule

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the right of a country or a region to govern itself.

For teachers: the condition of self-government, especially when a region has the right to manage its own affairs within a larger state.

- The region was granted autonomy after years of peaceful protests.
- The central government granted the province partial autonomy, allowing local leaders to manage education and healthcare while the capital retained control over foreign policy.

### 3. technical independence

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the ability of a machine or computer system to operate on its own without a human controller.

For teachers: the capacity of a system to make decisions and execute actions without the direct involvement of a human operator.

- Engineers are working to improve the autonomy of self-driving cars.
- The latest generation of deep-sea drones features increased autonomy, enabling them to navigate complex underwater terrain without real-time instructions from the surface vessel.

## Examples

- The new manager gives the team a lot of autonomy.
- After years of colonial rule, the region finally gained political autonomy and began drafting its own constitution.
- Granting employees greater autonomy over their schedules often leads to higher job satisfaction and a more robust sense of personal investment in the company's long-term success.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.