volitional

[ voh-lish-uh-nl, vuh- ]

adjective

1. done of one’s own will or choosing; deliberately decided or chosen:

   Researchers must make a reasonable effort to obtain the express and volitional assent of their research subjects.

2. under conscious control:

   The most hopeful new development is that scientists have used artificial nerve connections to restore some volitional movement for a subject's paralyzed arm.

Other Words From

• vo·li·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·vo·li·tion·al adjective
• pre·vo·li·tion·al adjective
• un·vo·li·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of volitional¹

volition ( def ) + -al ¹( def )

Example Sentences

It might look automatic “from the perspective of the gun,” but “you still do need your finger there to kind of pull back the trigger the same way that you would if it was volitional.”

From Slate

“He either willfully chose to ignore them, or he lacked sufficient volitional control to calm himself enough to avoid acting out violently. Either way, his actions were cold, premeditated and lethally violent.”

From Seattle Times

While Carlson might try to spin this move as an exciting and volitional one, the truth is that the host probably didn’t have all that many other options—and, according to the New York Times, his former employer could still try to enforce his current contract and keep him from relaunching his show.

From Slate

Any specific thought, such as communicating a sentence through a BCI, is a more complex process that requires volitional effort.

From Slate

By around age 6 months, sucking has largely transitioned to a volitional action, as a result of greater involvement by the cerebral cortex.

From Washington Post