adjective / noun
sovereign
SAH-vrin/sˈɑvrʌn/
Holding supreme power independent of others.
The sovereign issues a decision from her throne at court.
Etymology
Old French soverain meant “highest” or “supreme,” connecting superiority in rank with supremacy of power. A sovereign authority therefore stands above other authorities rather than being subject to them.
In context
to define right and wrong, or even to decide matters of life and death was regal power. It was the traditional domain of kings that the Romans transferred this immense sovereign authority to elected officials
More examples
- Each sovereign nation makes its own laws without foreign control.
- The constitution gives the people sovereign authority over their government.
- The two sovereigns meet to settle a border dispute.
Forms
sovereign · sovereigns
sovereignty noun — Supreme authority free from outside control.
Similar words
- autonomous
- Self-governing, but sometimes still subject to a higher authority.
- supreme
- Highest in authority, without necessarily implying independence from outside control.