somatic

adjective

so·​mat·​ic sō-ˈma-tik 

sə-

1

: of, relating to, or affecting the body especially as distinguished from the germplasm

2

: of or relating to the wall of the body : parietal

somatically

sō-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

sə-

adverb

Synonyms

• animal
• bodily
• carnal
• corporal
• corporeal
• fleshly
• material
• physical

Examples of somatic in a Sentence

a somatic disorder that was once thought to be “all in the patient's head”

Recent Examples on the Web

The purposes of somatic and typical stretching differ. —Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

People with the condition often have somatic mutations that affect genes that control cell division. —Barbara Brody, Health, 9 June 2024

Traditional talk therapy combined with somatic therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) could help someone manage their DID. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Over time, however, physicians began to acknowledge that their somatic treatments weren’t working very well. —Celia Ford, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Greek sōmatikos, from sōmat-, sōma

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing somatic

• somatic cell
• somatic symptom disorder

Kids Definition

somatic

adjective

so·​mat·​ic sō-ˈmat-ik 

sə-

: of, relating to, or affecting the body especially as compared to the mind or the tissue producing the germ cells

Medical Definition

somatic

adjective

so·​mat·​ic sō-ˈmat-ik, sə- 

1

a

: of, relating to, or affecting the body especially as distinguished from the germplasm : physical

b

: of, relating to, supplying, or involving skeletal muscles

the somatic nervous system

a somatic reflex

2

: of or relating to the wall of the body as distinguished from the viscera : parietal

somatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb