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
The molecule was shown to form nanoscale p/n heterojunctions through self-assembly, highlighting the feasibility of molecular designs that autonomously organize into functional electronic structures, according to a press release.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
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
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
The entire process occurs through a process of self-assembly in which the atoms arrange themselves into these one-dimensional chains.
—Dexter Johnson, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2016
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
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
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
The entire process occurs through a process of self-assembly in which the atoms arrange themselves into these one-dimensional chains.
—Dexter Johnson, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Self-assembly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-assembly. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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