home rule

noun

: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (such as a territory or municipality)

Examples of home rule in a Sentence

The citizens petitioned for home rule.
Recent Examples on the Web There has not been a successful recall in Washington since the district was granted home rule in the 1970s. Andrew Trunsky, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Fargo sued last year, calling the law unconstitutional and a swipe at the city's home rule powers. Jack Dura, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2024 If successful, Nadeau’s seat would be vacant until another special election is held to replace her — although an effort to recall a council member has never been successful in the 50 years that D.C. has had home rule. Michael Brice-Saddler, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Kennedy wrote that Cincinnati did not have the power to tax Schaad, a nonresident, under home rule authority. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2024 Despite five decades of ostensible home rule, Congress has long intervened in the District of Columbia’s governance, using its constitutional right of jurisdiction over the nation’s capital to overturn decisions made by local officials. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 7 June 2023 The home rule charter, which effectively serves as the city’s constitution, was adopted and approved by St. Paul voters on Nov. 3, 1970, and became effective June 6, 1972. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Boston housing advocates cite as an example the Jim Brooks Stabilization Act, a home rule petition that came out of Boston in 2018. Andrew Brinker, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Apr. 2023 Still, even though congressional Democrats have broadly supported the federal George Floyd Justice in Policing Act — and D.C. statehood — Mendelson said the city can’t just assume Democrats will support D.C. home rule based on what happened with the crime bill. Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'home rule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of home rule was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near home rule

Cite this Entry

“Home rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/home%20rule. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

home rule

noun
: self-government in local affairs by the citizens of a local political unit

Legal Definition

home rule

noun
: self-government or limited autonomy in internal affairs by a dependent political unit (as a territory or municipality)
also : the political theory or principle of self-government

More from Merriam-Webster on home rule

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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