self-replicating

adjective

self-rep·​li·​cat·​ing ˌself-ˈre-plə-ˌkā-tiŋ How to pronounce self-replicating (audio)
: reproducing itself autonomously
DNA is a self-replicating molecule
self-replication noun

Examples of self-replicating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The particles, which are self-replicating and guided by artificial intelligence, start to display emergent properties. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 13 June 2024 Ultimately, several hundred reactions were found to be self-replicating, creating a promising foundation for further study. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Jan. 2024 Enlarge Getty Images For the past year, previously unknown self-replicating malware has been compromising Linux devices around the world and installing cryptomining malware that takes unusual steps to conceal its inner workings, researchers said. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2024 The news galvanized scientists, who enthusiastically painted a picture of an ancient world inhabited by naked RNA genes, which went on their way merrily self-replicating until DNA and protein evolved to assist in the procedure. Peter Radetsky, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 At the extreme, the threat of uncontrolled, self-replicating AGIs—should they be invented in the years to come—would provide strong incentives to coordinate on safety and containment. Ian Bremmer and Mustafa Suleyman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Aug. 2023 Unlike nuclear weapons, bacteria and viruses are self-replicating. William MacAskill, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2022 In 2017, Sandworm released NotPetya, a piece of self-replicating code that spread to networks worldwide and inflicted a record $10 billion in damage. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2023 Hordes of self-replicating robots popping up everywhere? Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Dec. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-replicating.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-replicating was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near self-replicating

Cite this Entry

“Self-replicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-replicating. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

self-replicating

adjective
self-rep·​li·​cat·​ing -ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt-iŋ How to pronounce self-replicating (audio)
: reproducing itself autonomously
DNA is a self-replicating molecule
self-replication noun
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