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
Examples of self-assembly in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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 question was whether these self-assembly processes could work with no human overlords around.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2025
The case revolves around a challenge to a regulation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that places new requirements on previously untraceable self-assembly ghost guns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The Long Road to Self-Assembly Previous research explored many avenues toward self-assembly, such as trying to build computers from molecules or using DNA or other compounds to assemble components.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Dec. 2024
While researchers have explored complex shape formation through self-assembly or reconfigurable robotic systems, these often depend on predetermined shapes.
—Trevor Smith, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024
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
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Andrew Saunders, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
The question was whether these self-assembly processes could work with no human overlords around.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2025
The case revolves around a challenge to a regulation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that places new requirements on previously untraceable self-assembly ghost guns.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
The Long Road to Self-Assembly Previous research explored many avenues toward self-assembly, such as trying to build computers from molecules or using DNA or other compounds to assemble components.
—IEEE Spectrum, 17 Dec. 2024
While researchers have explored complex shape formation through self-assembly or reconfigurable robotic systems, these often depend on predetermined shapes.
—Trevor Smith, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024
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
Cite this Entry
“Self-assembly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-assembly. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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