self-assembly

noun

self-as·​sem·​bly ˌself-ə-ˈsem-blē 

: the process by which a complex macromolecule (such as collagen) or a supramolecular system (such as a virus) spontaneously assembles itself from its components

self-assemble

ˌself-ə-ˈsem-bəl 

intransitive verb

Examples of self-assembly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The question was whether these self-assembly processes could work with no human overlords around. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2025

Forecasting self-assembly is a job for supercomputers, and the heavyweight programs required can take days or weeks to run. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 21 June 2023

Swedish megabrand Ikea’s affordable self-assembly furniture has made Scandi style the go-to look for homes, hotels and Airbnbs all over Europe. — Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025

The molecule was shown to form nanoscale p/n heterojunctions through self-assembly, highlighting the feasibility of molecular designs that autonomously organize into functional electronic structures, according to a press release. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-assembly

• disassembly
• reassembly
• subassembly
• assembly

Medical Definition

self-assembly

noun

self-as·​sem·​bly -ə-ˈsem-blē 

plural self-assemblies

: the process by which a complex macromolecule (as collagen) or a supramolecular system (as a virus) spontaneously assembles itself from its components

self-assemble

-bəl 

intransitive verb