parasympathetic

1 of 2

adjective

para·​sym·​pa·​thet·​ic ˌper-ə-ˌsim-pə-ˈthe-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

: of, relating to, being, or acting on the parasympathetic nervous system

parasympathetic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a parasympathetic nerve

2

: parasympathetic nervous system

Examples of parasympathetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Researchers have studied how certain facial and auricular stimuli interact with parasympathetic activity. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Researchers have also explored how certain facial and auricular stimuli may interact with parasympathetic activity. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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

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

Phrases Containing parasympathetic

• parasympathetic nervous system

Rhymes for parasympathetic

• antidiabetic
• antidiuretic
• electrokinetic
• electromagnetic
• electrophoretic
• monoenergetic
• paleomagnetic
• parthenogenetic
• pharmacokinetic
• sympathomimetic
• unapologetic
• acetic

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 

: 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 genitalia

—A. C. Guyton

2

: parasympathetic nervous system