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
ˌself-ˌre-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce self-replicating (audio)
noun

Examples of self-replicating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What’s Happening A study published in Science has identified self-replicating stretches of DNA called LINE1 as a driver of accelerated aging in dogs. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 Anthropic said in a new warning that small artificial intelligence models may be months away from being capable of self-replicating on devices such as smart ‌ovens and off-brand smart TV boxes. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Too invested in protecting its models and fitting in, the Establishment had unfairly treated exciting subjects like cryonics (humans being frozen for future revival) and self-replicating nanomachines. — Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026 This requires that less than one in a hundred billion stars ever produces self-replicating probes that just do their own thing. — Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-replicating

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for self-replicating

See All Rhymes for self-replicating

Browse Nearby Words

self-renunciation
self-replicating
self-report
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-replicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-replicating. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
-ˌrep-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce self-replicating (audio)
noun
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