self-renew

intransitive verb

self-re·​new ¦self-ri-¦n(y)ü How to pronounce self-renew (audio)
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
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
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
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

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-renew was in 1970

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Dictionary Entries Near self-renew

Cite this Entry

“Self-renew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-renew. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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