self-re·new·al
ˌself-ri-ˈnü-əl 
-ˈnyü-
plural self-renewals
: the act or process of renewing oneself or itself
For a long time it has been assumed that heart muscle cells are incapable of self-renewal.—
Lisa Melton
Lisa MeltonMore than 500 guests arrive annually between May 13 and Oct. 21 in pursuit of a back-to-basics, kick-in-the-pants approach to self-renewal: no caffeine, low salt, no refined sugar, no seconds.—Cynthia Dial
Cynthia Dial
self-re·new
¦self-ri-¦n(y)ü
self-renewed; self-renewing; self-renews
: to renew oneself or itself
Stem cells are multipotential cells that have the capacity to proliferate in an undifferentiated state, to self-renew, and to give rise to all the cell types of a particular tissue.—Steve S. W. Han et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 3 May 2000
Steve S. W. Han et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, 3 May 2000
self-renewal
noun
plural self-renewals
For a long time it has been assumed that heart muscle cells are incapable of self-renewal.
—Lisa Melton, New Scientist, 25 Sept. 2004
Lisa Melton, New Scientist, 25 Sept. 2004
If we are less than bold in addressing these problems—through self-renewal within our community and by pressing the powers-that-be for resources to make a difference—then we risk losing an entire generation.
—Maxine Waters, Elle, May 1993
Maxine Waters, Elle, May 1993
self-renewing
adjective
self-renewing stem cells
American diction constantly crosses over class lines, which is what makes it so refreshingly democratic and self-renewing.
—Güneli Gün, Times Literary Supplement, 12 Mar. 1999
Güneli Gün, Times Literary Supplement, 12 Mar. 1999
Examples of self-renewal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of the cells responded to the damage by stopping their normal self-renewal process and turning into mature pigment cells that soon died.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Yet, as symbolic gestures and excessive marketing increase, a new awareness is emerging: true healing is a gradual process of self-renewal.
—Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Then, the new moon in your sign on Aug. 23 presents the opportunity for new energy and self-renewal.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Wnt signals help maintain a balance between stem cell self-renewal (keeping enough stem cells in the crypts) and differentiation (turning some stem cells into specialized cells that make up the lining of the intestine).
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
Introspection and self-renewal were two of many key themes that were taken into consideration when designing the homes, and each residence has a small spa with a sauna and bath, natural light, open-air sunroofs, courtyards, luxury kitchens, swimming pools, and fireplaces.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
The Capricorn New Moon on the 11th is actually a potent one, and there’s reason to suspect that these efforts at self-renewal are going to move the needle in your current reality.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2023
The only thing that filmmakers like as much as being a part of the film industry is railing against it; that negative energy of struggle is fuel for creativity, and the effort at self-renewal through withdrawal—through the unifying of art and life—is a leap into the void.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Stem cells are are capable of self-renewal and work as a repair system, replacing damaged cells and maintaining tissues, allowing them to be used in regenerative medicine.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of the cells responded to the damage by stopping their normal self-renewal process and turning into mature pigment cells that soon died.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Yet, as symbolic gestures and excessive marketing increase, a new awareness is emerging: true healing is a gradual process of self-renewal.
—Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Then, the new moon in your sign on Aug. 23 presents the opportunity for new energy and self-renewal.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Wnt signals help maintain a balance between stem cell self-renewal (keeping enough stem cells in the crypts) and differentiation (turning some stem cells into specialized cells that make up the lining of the intestine).
—New Atlas, 24 July 2025
Introspection and self-renewal were two of many key themes that were taken into consideration when designing the homes, and each residence has a small spa with a sauna and bath, natural light, open-air sunroofs, courtyards, luxury kitchens, swimming pools, and fireplaces.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025
The Capricorn New Moon on the 11th is actually a potent one, and there’s reason to suspect that these efforts at self-renewal are going to move the needle in your current reality.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Dec. 2023
The only thing that filmmakers like as much as being a part of the film industry is railing against it; that negative energy of struggle is fuel for creativity, and the effort at self-renewal through withdrawal—through the unifying of art and life—is a leap into the void.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Self-renewal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-renewal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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