adjective
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of or relating to the soma
somatic cells
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of or relating to an animal body or body wall as distinct from the viscera, limbs, and head
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of or relating to the human body as distinct from the mind
a somatic disease
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Relating to the body.
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◆ The cells of the body with the exception of the reproductive cells (gametes) are known as somatic cells.
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See Note at mitosis
Other Word Forms
- somatically adjective
- unsomatic adjective
Etymology
Origin of somatic
1765–75; < Greek sōmatikós of, pertaining to the body, equivalent to sōmat- somat- + -ikos -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The collective includes an integrative somatic yoga instructor, a somatic healer and a somatic chiropractor.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
A 2025 pilot study found that directed somatic movement interventions helped improve body awareness and spine mobility in older adults.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
The results showed that listening to music with ABS significantly reduced both cognitive and somatic symptoms of anxiety compared with the pink noise control.
From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026
Now Hughes blends both somatic experiencing and slow motion weight training at her personal training gyms, the Strength Shoppe, with locations in Pasadena, Mid-City and Echo Park.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026
From this point of view, the immortality of unicellular organisms and of the germplasm breaks down, and, above all, the artificial distinction between somatic cells and reproductive cells.
From The Biological Problem of To-day Preformation Or Epigenesis? The Basis of a Theory of Organic Development by Hertwig, Oscar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
