autonomic nervous system

noun

: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (such as secretion and peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Examples of autonomic nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Others develop dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms because the autonomic nervous system becomes affected. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

The concept is rooted in the autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic nervous system—responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response—and the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps promote rest, recovery and restoration. — Meggen Harris, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Researchers and cardiologists have studied HRV for decades, notes Khurshid, particularly as a marker of autonomic nervous system function and cardiovascular health. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Researchers examined whether regular use could influence physiological measures associated with stress regulation, including heart rate variability, a marker of autonomic nervous system function. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for autonomic nervous system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

autonomic nervous system

noun

: the part of the vertebrate nervous system that controls involuntary actions (as heart rate and breathing) and that is made up of the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

autonomic nervous system

noun

: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (as secretion, vasoconstriction, or peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

called also vegetative nervous system

compare central nervous system, peripheral nervous system