# autonomic

/ˌɔtəˈnɑmɪk/ (US) · /ɔːtənˈɒmɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/autonomic
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

describing a system in your body that works automatically without you thinking about it. It controls things like your heartbeat and breathing.

For teachers: relating to the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. Often used in medical or physiological contexts to describe processes that occur independently of conscious will.

## Examples

- The autonomic nervous system controls your heartbeat.
- During a stressful situation, the autonomic system triggers a physical response that prepares the body for action.
- While the somatic system handles voluntary movements like walking, the autonomic system manages the internal environment, ensuring that vital organs function correctly without conscious intervention.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.