the status, dominion, rule, or power of a sovereign
3.
supreme and independent political authority
4.
a sovereign state or governmental unit
Word origin
ME soverainete < Anglo-Fr sovereyneté, OFr souveraineté
Examples of 'sovereignty' in a sentence
sovereignty
Now we are being told to give up that sovereignty to protect the euro!
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It attacks us in our national sovereignty.
Christianity Today (2000)
It is time to reclaim our basic sovereignty, the power to decide for ourselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Our only hope is a return to true British sovereignty.
The Sun (2016)
One has to respect the sovereignty of the British people.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Chinese had said this would infringe their national sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
On the one hand, you might argue that this constitutes a violation of national sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
These conditions were a total violation of the human rights of the people of Pakistan and the sovereignty of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
That's the power of sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In effect, the country 's financial sovereignty has been lost.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Critics of the European court say it has again eroded the country 's sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They voted for British sovereignty.
The Sun (2016)
Shared sovereignty or British sovereignty?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In one scene, she accuses them of cowardice for trying to sell British sovereignty cheap.
The Sun (2011)
No one, it is said, gives a fig about national sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They say that we can regain control of our laws only by leaving, ensuring that British sovereignty is upheld.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Campaigners argue that it favours big corporations over workers, consumers and national sovereignty, leaving countries vulnerable to legal action from multinationals.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Being part of the EU enhances British sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Critics of the treaty claim that it could undermine national sovereignty, democracy and public services and leave Britain vulnerable to legal action from multinationals.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
sovereignty
British English: sovereignty NOUN
Sovereignty is the power that a country has to govern itself or another country or state.
Concern to protect national sovereignty is far from new.
American English: sovereignty
Brazilian Portuguese: soberania
Chinese: 统治权
European Spanish: soberanía
French: souveraineté
German: Souveränität
Italian: sovranità
Japanese: 主権
Korean: 통치권
European Portuguese: soberania
Latin American Spanish: soberanía
(noun)
Definition
the position or authority of a sovereign
Concern to protect national sovereignty is far from new.
Synonyms
supreme power
domination
They had five centuries of domination by the Romans.
supremacy
The president asserted his supremacy over the prime minister.
primacy
He saw this as a challenge to his primacy.
sway
How can mothers keep daughters under their sway?
ascendancy
The extremists are gaining ascendancy.
kingship
suzerainty
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ascendancy
Definition
the condition of being dominant
The extremists are gaining ascendancy.
Synonyms
influence,
power,
control,
rule,
authority,
command,
reign,
sovereignty,
sway,
dominance,
domination,
superiority,
supremacy,
mastery,
dominion,
upper hand,
hegemony,
prevalence,
pre-eminence,
predominance,
rangatiratanga (New Zealand)
in the sense of domination
They had five centuries of domination by the Romans.
Synonyms
control,
power,
rule,
authority,
influence,
command,
sway,
dictatorship,
repression,
oppression,
suppression,
supremacy,
mastery,
tyranny,
ascendancy,
subordination,
despotism,
subjection
in the sense of primacy
Definition
the state of being first in rank, grade, or order
He saw this as a challenge to his primacy.
Synonyms
supremacy,
leadership,
command,
dominance,
superiority,
dominion,
ascendancy,
pre-eminence
Synonyms of 'sovereignty'
sovereignty
Explore 'sovereignty' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of supremacy
Definition
the state or quality of being superior
The president asserted his supremacy over the prime minister.