self-selected; self-selecting; self-selects
1
transitive : to select (something) by or for oneself
People tend to self-select the environments that fit their needs. Cynthia M. Allen
2
intransitive : to select oneself as opposed to being selected
especially : to opt in or out of something (such as a group, activity, or category) in accordance with one's personality, interests, etc.
As always, remember that our Twitter polls are unscientific, because respondents self-select Eric C. Evarts
We self-select into partisan echo chambers, staying far away from dissenting voices on social media and cable news. Brian Klaas
… a compensation structure that rewards profitable growth and encourages low performers to self-select out of the organization. Patrick Burke
3
intransitive : to attract or involve individuals who tend to have a particular characteristic
… analysis of social-media responses self-selects for people who actually want to share their thoughts. Adrian Lee
self-selected adjective
a self-selected name
an unrepresentative, self-selected sampling
self-selection noun
plural self-selections
student self-selection of reading materials
self-selection of survey respondents
The method helped researchers rule out self-selection bias, or the possibility that people who seek out dental care are different—perhaps healthier in general—than those who don't. Sarah Yang

Examples of self-select 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.
People who don't fit your target audience self-select out, while your ideal clients feel seen and understood. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Job seekers who self-select into ways of working and communication norms that fit with their personal preferences and aspirations are more likely to stay and flourish to be your company’s future leaders. Follow me on LinkedIn. Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-select was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Self-select.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-select. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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