special needs
plural noun
: any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)
students with special needs
special-needs
adjective
or special needs
special-needs children
a special needs teacher
Examples of special needs in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The purest of pure pups, one with a little bit of a wild, hilarious streak, is in need of a home in Ohio that will be able to care for his special needs.
—
Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
That December, Cilivea Thyrion, 20, choked to death on an adult diaper while housed in a special needs pod.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The new building will help bring students with special needs into nature for outdoor science learning and immersion in wild spaces, said Katie Bloome, executive director at Belwin Conservancy.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
While events that cater to those with special needs have become increasingly common, this one is unique for its volunteers and the company that started hosting it back in 2015.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
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Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
That December, Cilivea Thyrion, 20, choked to death on an adult diaper while housed in a special needs pod.
—Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The new building will help bring students with special needs into nature for outdoor science learning and immersion in wild spaces, said Katie Bloome, executive director at Belwin Conservancy.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 14 Sep. 2025
While events that cater to those with special needs have become increasingly common, this one is unique for its volunteers and the company that started hosting it back in 2015.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Cite this Entry
“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
special needs
noun plural
: the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one
Some urban homeschooled kids, particularly those with special needs, were previously enrolled in school but not served well there.—Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
special-needs
adjective
special-needs students
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