selfsupporting

Self-supporting is an adjective describing the ability to support oneself or sustain oneself without external aid or support. The term is used across different fields to indicate independence from outside assistance, whether for objects, structures, or people.

In construction and architecture, a self-supporting structure—often called freestanding—can bear its loads without bracing, scaffolding, or adjacent supports. Examples include freestanding towers, domes, arches, and other forms that transfer weight directly to foundations. Self-supporting roofs or canopies rely on their geometry and materials to carry loads without external bracing. By contrast, supported or braced structures require external members to resist loads.

In daily life and economics, a self-supporting person or entity funds themselves through earnings or savings, without relying on family aid, scholarships, or welfare. The term is commonly used when describing students, workers, or households that are financially independent, though standards vary by country and context.

In biology and botany, some plants are described as self-supporting if they grow upright under their own structural support, while climbing or vining plants require external supports such as stakes, trellises, or other vegetation.

See also: self-sufficiency, independent, freestanding.