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
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Your autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
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Heidi Cope, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
How to show up when giving or receiving feedback: Focus on your breathing to keep your autonomic nervous system relaxed and receptive, and remember the 6 C's: calm, centered, curious, connected, courageous and confident.
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Mercury overload has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, since heart rhythm and function fall under the control of your autonomic nervous system, per research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
As Excitement Nervousness feels like excitement because both trigger the autonomic nervous system.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
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Heidi Cope, Health, 6 Nov. 2024
How to show up when giving or receiving feedback: Focus on your breathing to keep your autonomic nervous system relaxed and receptive, and remember the 6 C's: calm, centered, curious, connected, courageous and confident.
—Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Mercury overload has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, since heart rhythm and function fall under the control of your autonomic nervous system, per research in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
As Excitement Nervousness feels like excitement because both trigger the autonomic nervous system.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomic nervous system
Cite this Entry
“Autonomic nervous system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomic%20nervous%20system. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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