parasympathetic

1 of 2

adjective

para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌper-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce parasympathetic (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

parasympathetic

2 of 2

noun

1
: a parasympathetic nerve
2

Examples of parasympathetic 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.
Adjective
As the body adapts, heart rate and blood pressure decrease, while the body enters a parasympathetic state of rest and digestion. Irene Coltrinari, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025 This will reset you from the sympathetic (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic (rest and digest) system. John Kormanik, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
There are two parts of the nervous system — the sympathetic and the parasympathetic, said Beth Oller, M.D., a family physician with Rooks County Health Center in Stockton, Kansas. Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024 Parasympathetic has two other states though- the rest and digest and according to the Polyvagal Theory, the ventral vagal branch of the parasympathetic which is social engagement. Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 See All Example Sentences for parasympathetic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1905, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasympathetic was in 1905

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parasympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasympathetic. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

parasympathetic

adjective
para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic
ˌpar-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

parasympathetic

1 of 2 adjective
para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce parasympathetic (audio)
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic fibers of the vascular wall
parasympathetic drugs

parasympathetic

2 of 2 noun
1
: a parasympathetic nerve
this sacral group of parasympathetics supplies fibers to the external genitaliaA. C. Guyton
2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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