autonomic

adjective

au·​to·​nom·​ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈnä-mik How to pronounce autonomic (audio)
1
: acting or occurring involuntarily
autonomic reflexes
2
: relating to, affecting, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system or its effects or activity
autonomic drugs
autonomically adverb

Examples of autonomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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These include autoimmune diseases, dysautonomia (autonomic dysfunction causing fainting, pulse and blood pressure swings, and more), and chronic disabilities. Judy Stone, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction. Heidi Cope, Health, 6 Nov. 2024 Each has a spinal cord, which controls reflex behaviors; a brain stem, which controls autonomic behaviors such as breathing and heart rate; and a midbrain, which controls emotions and basic behaviors. IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2017 Born with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II, Aoki has lived with a genetic condition that resulted in him losing sensation in his arms and legs. Mark Lasota, Ph.d., Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for autonomic 

Word History

Etymology

autonomy + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of autonomic was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near autonomic

Cite this Entry

“Autonomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomic. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

autonomic

adjective
au·​to·​nom·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈnäm-ik How to pronounce autonomic (audio)
: of, relating to, controlled by, or being part of the autonomic nervous system

Medical Definition

autonomic

adjective
au·​to·​nom·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈnäm-ik How to pronounce autonomic (audio)
1
a
: acting or occurring involuntarily
autonomic reflexes
b
: relating to, affecting, or controlled by the autonomic nervous system
autonomic ganglia
autonomic dysfunction
2
: having an effect upon tissue supplied by the autonomic nervous system
autonomic drugs
autonomically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on autonomic

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