parasympathetic

1 of 2

adjective

para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌper-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce parasympathetic (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

parasympathetic

2 of 2

noun

1
: a parasympathetic nerve
2

Examples of parasympathetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The parasympathetic system is the counterbalance, bringing the body back to a state of equilibrium. Meaghen Brown, Outside Online, 12 June 2015 Lying down for 30 minutes, cocooned by soothing music and gentle vibrations, worked immediate wonders on my parasympathetic system. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Mar. 2024
Noun
Parasympathetic has two other states though- the rest and digest and according to the Polyvagal Theory, the ventral vagal branch of the parasympathetic which is social engagement. Womensmedia, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 But purposeful breathing can trigger your parasympathetic system, or the part of your autonomic nervous system that opposes the fight-flight-freeze response. Emily Shiffer, SELF, 3 Nov. 2020 See all Example Sentences for parasympathetic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parasympathetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1905, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasympathetic was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near parasympathetic

Cite this Entry

“Parasympathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasympathetic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

parasympathetic

adjective
para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic
ˌpar-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

parasympathetic

1 of 2 adjective
para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce parasympathetic (audio)
: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
parasympathetic fibers of the vascular wall
parasympathetic drugs

parasympathetic

2 of 2 noun
1
: a parasympathetic nerve
this sacral group of parasympathetics supplies fibers to the external genitaliaA. C. Guyton
2
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!