autonomous
adjective
au·ton·o·mous
ȯ-ˈtä-nə-məs 
1
a
: having the right or power of self-government
an autonomous territory
b
: undertaken or carried on without outside control : self-contained
an autonomous school system
2
a
: existing or capable of existing independently
an autonomous zooid
b
: responding, reacting, or developing independently of the whole
an autonomous growth
3
: controlled by the autonomic nervous system
4
: of, relating to, or marked by autonomy
autonomously
adverb
Examples of autonomous in a Sentence
Native American nations are regarded as autonomous in many respects and thus not subject to a number of state and local laws.
Recent Examples on the Web
The autonomous vehicle industry is expected to expand considerably, and Waymo is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this burgeoning market.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ukraine launched autonomous craft from catapults and snared Russian drones in fishing nets.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
In conflict ridden Myanmar, the UWSA have carved out an autonomous enclave complete with their own government, armed and supported by neighboring China.
—Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
Likely some readers are aware that Eufy is the brand name for a line of wireless autonomous vacuum cleaners.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomous
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ukraine launched autonomous craft from catapults and snared Russian drones in fishing nets.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
In conflict ridden Myanmar, the UWSA have carved out an autonomous enclave complete with their own government, armed and supported by neighboring China.
—Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025
Likely some readers are aware that Eufy is the brand name for a line of wireless autonomous vacuum cleaners.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomous
Cite this Entry
“Autonomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomous. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
autonomous
adjective
au·ton·o·mous
ȯ-ˈtän-ə-məs
1
: having autonomy : self-governing
2
: existing independent of anything else
autonomously
adverb
Medical Definition
autonomous
adjective
au·ton·o·mous
ȯ-ˈtän-ə-məs
1
: of, relating to, or marked by autonomy
2
a
: not forming a part (as does an embryo or seed) in the developmental sequence of an organism
b
: responding, reacting, or developing independently of the whole
a tumor is an autonomous growth
3
: under control of the autonomic nervous system
autonomously
adverb
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