holistic

adjective

ho·​lis·​tic hō-ˈli-stik 

1

: relating to or concerned with complete systems rather than with individual parts

… the brain, while composed of constituent parts, is a global and holistic system.

—Sue Halpern

especially : concerned with the whole person, animal, or organism as opposed to a specific part or aspect

a holistic approach to health

holistic medicine

a holistic doctor/veterinarian

holistic ecology views humans and the environment as a single system

… a holistic education in which the child is more than the sum of his or her exam results.

—Wendy Wallace

2

: of or relating to, or based on the theory of holism

holistically

hō-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Look at the Big Picture With Holistic

"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" expresses the essence of holism, a term coined by the great South African general and statesman Jan Smuts in 1926. Holism generally opposes the Western tendency toward analysis, the breaking down of wholes into parts sometimes to the point that "you can't see the forest for the trees". Holism is an important concept in the sciences and social sciences, and especially in medicine. Holistic medicine tries to treat the "whole person" rather than focusing too narrowly on single symptoms. It emphasizes the connections between the mind and the body, avoids the overuse of drugs, and has borrowed such practices from Eastern traditions as acupuncture and yoga.

Examples of holistic in a Sentence

In a world of specialization, we have been trained to think of medicine as a separate world—when we are sick, we go to doctors and follow their advice. This is starting to change, with the increasing popularity of alternative and holistic approaches to overall health and well-being. —Gareth Cook, Boston Globe, 9 June 2002

The Gaia hypothesis is certainly top-down and holistic, and it's now generally accepted … Organisms have not just adapted to different physical environments; they also modify and improve the environment for their own good—just like people. —Tom Ghaffin, Natural History, October 1998

People with supermarket carts. When did these things come out of the stores and into the streets. She saw these things everywhere … filled with living trivia, the holistic dregs of everything if that is correctly put. —Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991

Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body.

We need to take a more holistic approach to improving our schools.

Recent Examples on the Web

Means, through her book, blog and speaking appearances, has championed holistic health with a focus on whole and natural foods, exercise, and curbing pharmaceutical prescriptions for chronic ailments. —Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025

Caring for your endometriosis involves a holistic approach that integrates lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and alternative therapies to improve your overall well-being. —Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025

Based on the holistic Waldorf educational philosophy, developed by early 20th century Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, the institution embraces non-violent resistance. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025

Look for a Slightly Angular Shape A perfect-tasting pomegranate might not be a perfect-looking one, holistic nutritionist Stacey Woodson, MS, RDN, LD, told Health. —Sarah Garone, Health, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

hol(ism) + -istic

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for holistic

• artistic
• autistic
• ballistic
• cladistic
• heuristic
• linguistic
• logistic
• monistic
• patristic
• sadistic
• simplistic
• sophistic

Kids Definition

holistic

adjective

ho·​lis·​tic hō-ˈlis-tik 

: relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the individual parts

holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body

Etymology

hol- + -istic

Medical Definition

holistic

adjective

ho·​lis·​tic hō-ˈlis-tik 

1

: of or relating to holism

2

: relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts

holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body

holistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb