autonomic

adjective

au·​to·​nom·​ic ˌȯ-tə-ˈnä-mik 

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

ˌȯ-tə-ˈnä-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of autonomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Facial massages may influence the nervous system through sensory pathways in the face, including the trigeminal nerve, which connects to brainstem regions involved in autonomic regulation. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Microcurrent tools already stimulate underlying muscles, and the next iteration is likely to lean harder on autonomic regulation language. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Noise acts as a stressor, activating the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems and affecting heart rate, blood pressure and other physiological processes. — Laura Coco, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026

Coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease (he was diagnosed in 2019) with autonomic dysfunction were listed as joint causes on his official death certificate. — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

autonomy + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing autonomic

• autonomic nervous system

Rhymes for autonomic

• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• cryptogamic
• diatomic
• economic
• ergonomic
• gastronomic
• monatomic
• psychonomic
• subatomic
• taxonomic

Kids Definition

autonomic

adjective

au·​to·​nom·​ic ˌȯt-ə-ˈnäm-ik 

: 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 

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

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb