English · Word Candidate

sovereignty

/ˈsɒvɹənti/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sovereignties

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The quality or state of being sovereign. — Of a ruler (especially a monarch): supreme authority or dominion over something.

Noun

Examples

[…] Zephyrus the VVeſterne vvind being in loue vvith her [Chloris], and coueting her to vvyfe, gaue her for a dovvrie, the chiefedome and ſoueraigntye of al flovvers and greene herbes, grovving on earth.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The quality or state of being sovereign. — Of a nation or other polity: the state of being able to control resources, make laws independently, and otherwise govern itself without the coercion or concurrence of other polities.

Noun

Examples

Sovereignty, as a matter of right, appertains to the Nation only, and not to any individual; and a Nation has at all times an inherent indefeaſible right to aboliſh any form of Government it finds inconvenient, and eſtabliſh ſuch as accords vvith its intereſt, diſpoſition, and happineſs.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “sovereignty” mean?

The quality or state of being sovereign. — Of a ruler (especially a monarch): supreme authority or dominion over something.

Is “sovereignty” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.