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

With a method called directed self-assembly, the engineers were able to pattern contact holes for transistors in memory and logic circuits. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2012

Despite being rapidly promoted, first to operating a forklift and then again to sales in the living room aisles, climbing the ranks at the Swedish self-assembly furniture giant wasn’t part of his initial plan. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

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