autonomic

adjective au·to·nom·ic \ ˌȯ-tə-ˈnä-mik \

Updated on: 7 Mar 2018

Definition of autonomic

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

play \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See autonomic defined for kids

Recent Examples of autonomic from the Web

According to the New York Daily News, more than one million Americans suffer from autonomic disorders.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Solange Reveals She’s Been Diagnosed With an Autonomic Disorder," 27 Dec. 2017
Also known as the SPG, these nerves help control autonomic (i.e., involuntary) functions like breathing.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "Your ‘Sinus Headache’ Might Actually Be a Migraine," 25 Jan. 2018
NYU Langone describes autonomic disorders as: The autonomic nervous system regulates the function of the body’s internal organs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature.

— Essence.com, "Solange Reveals She Has An Autonomic Disorder, Cancels AFROPUNK Joburg 2017 Performance," 27 Dec. 2017
In medical speak, cluster headaches are a type of trigeminal autonomic cephalgia.

— zahra barnes, SELF, "8 Things You Need to Know About Excruciatingly Painful Cluster Headaches," 17 Dec. 2017
But disruptions to your autonomic nervous system (which also controls other unconscious behaviors like breathing in addition to your heartbeat), like an acute infection or cancer, can affect HRV.

— jessica migala, SI.com, "What Is Heart Rate Variability–and Do You Need to Know Yours?," 8 Aug. 2017
The autonomic nervous system jump-starts the sympathetic nervous system and accelerates the fight-or-flight response.

— marygrace taylor, SELF, "This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Cry," 18 July 2017
It's related to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the balance between its branches - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

— NOLA.com, "Optimum Performance: How hard is too hard?," 9 June 2017
Sensory nerves and the autonomic nervous system are usually spared so that most with the disease can hear, see, touch, smell and taste.

— jane e. brody, New York Times, "A New Drug for A.L.S., but the Diagnosis Remains Dire," 29 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autonomic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of autonomic

1888

Medical Dictionary

autonomic

adjective au·to·nom·ic \ ˌȯt-ə-ˈnäm-ik \

medical Definition of autonomic

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

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about autonomic

See words that rhyme with autonomic Britannica English: Translation of autonomic for Arabic speakers

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autonomic

Definition of autonomic

autonomically

Recent Examples of autonomic from the Web

First Known Use of autonomic

Medical Dictionary

autonomic

medical Definition of autonomic

autonomically

Learn More about autonomic

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autonomic

Definition of autonomic

autonomically

Recent Examples of autonomic from the Web

First Known Use of autonomic

Medical Dictionary

autonomic

medical Definition of autonomic

autonomically

Learn More about autonomic

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