somatic

American  

[soh-mat-ik, suh-] / soʊˈmæt ɪk, sə- /

adjective

1. of the body; bodily; physical.

   Synonyms:

   corporal

   Antonyms:

   psychic

2. Anatomy, Zoology. pertaining to the body wall of an animal.

3. Cell Biology. pertaining to or affecting the somatic cells, as distinguished from the germ cells.

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somatic British  

/ səʊˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the soma

   somatic cells

2. of or relating to an animal body or body wall as distinct from the viscera, limbs, and head

3. of or relating to the human body as distinct from the mind

   a somatic disease

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somatic Scientific  

/ sō-măt′ĭk /

1. Relating to the body.

2. ◆ The cells of the body with the exception of the reproductive cells (gametes) are known as somatic cells.

3. See Note at mitosis

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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

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

Other studies show that somatic practices can help with motor control and flexibility.

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

The System is inspired by randomness within nature and the somatic elements of breakdancing, which Jonas grew up doing in Venice Beach.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Man has probably 16 chromosomes in the somatic cell, and the mature male and female germ cells in man contribute eight chromosomes each to the nucleus of the impregnated ovum.

From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin