holistic
adjective
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Look at the Big Picture With Holistic
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" expresses the essence of holism, a term coined by the great South African general and statesman Jan Smuts in 1926. Holism generally opposes the Western tendency toward analysis, the breaking down of wholes into parts sometimes to the point that "you can't see the forest for the trees". Holism is an important concept in the sciences and social sciences, and especially in medicine. Holistic medicine tries to treat the "whole person" rather than focusing too narrowly on single symptoms. It emphasizes the connections between the mind and the body, avoids the overuse of drugs, and has borrowed such practices from Eastern traditions as acupuncture and yoga.
Examples of holistic in a Sentence
Gareth Cook, Boston Globe, 9 June 2002
The Gaia hypothesis is certainly top-down and holistic, and it's now generally accepted … Organisms have not just adapted to different physical environments; they also modify and improve the environment for their own good—just like people.
—Tom Ghaffin, Natural History, October 1998
People with supermarket carts. When did these things come out of the stores and into the streets. She saw these things everywhere … filled with living trivia, the holistic dregs of everything if that is correctly put.
—Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991
Holistic medicine attempts to treat both the mind and the body.
We need to take a more holistic approach to improving our schools.
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Central to Layan Life's treatments is the Life Method, which emphasizes advanced diagnostics and treatments, bodywork and spiritual healing, holistic therapies and lifestyle practices that promote wellness.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The Goop founder also serves as the narrator of visitors’ journey through the holistic, immersive environment, which follows a tiger through a sanctuary reminiscent of the lush Sobaek Mountains in South Korea.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
As disruptions are the new norm, companies should look beyond operational efficiencies, evaluate scenario planning and create a holistic solution that helps in being more resilient.
—Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for holistic
Cite this Entry
“Holistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holistic. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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holistic
adjective
hol- + -istic
Medical Definition
holistic
adjective
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