home rule

/hoʊm rul/

Other forms: home rules

When a territory or colony governs itself, that's called home rule. Some cities also govern themselves using home rule, operating somewhat independently of the state.

In the U.S., home rule often describes the power of a city or county to control local governments. In states with home rule, individual municipalities draft charters that are almost like local constitutions, allowing them to govern in any way they choose — so long as they don’t defy the state constitution. In other countries, home rule is used for territories that operate independently, despite being officially under another country’s control.

Definitions of home rule

1. noun

   self-government in local matters by a city or county that is part of a national government
   type of:

   self-determination, self-government, self-rule

   government by a country's own people rather than by an outside power