specialist
noun
spe·cial·ist
ˈspe-sh(ə-)list 
1
: one who specializes in a particular occupation, practice, or field of study
a specialist in disorders of the immune system
a specialist in international law
"What does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime?"—
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle2
: an enlisted rank in the U.S. Army corresponding to the grade of corporal
also
: any of several former enlisted ranks corresponding to the grades of sergeant through sergeant major
3
: an organism (such as a bird) specialized especially in food or habitat
Examples of specialist in a Sentence
She consulted a marketing specialist when she decided to go into business.
He saw a specialist for his foot problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Veterinary specialists immediately got to work after the 2-month-old puppy was brought to the animal center on March 9, when it was found somewhere in Sierra Madre, according to a social media post.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Mark Hill, a law enforcement and security specialist, beat incumbent Bob Bennett for a seat representing Ward 2, according to unofficial results reported by the Platte County Board of Elections Tuesday night.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
But Grunvald said overall, obesity medicine specialists like him will still be inclined to prescribe injections over oral drugs, in part because the shots are more effective.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Veterinary specialists immediately got to work after the 2-month-old puppy was brought to the animal center on March 9, when it was found somewhere in Sierra Madre, according to a social media post.
—Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Mark Hill, a law enforcement and security specialist, beat incumbent Bob Bennett for a seat representing Ward 2, according to unofficial results reported by the Platte County Board of Elections Tuesday night.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
But Grunvald said overall, obesity medicine specialists like him will still be inclined to prescribe injections over oral drugs, in part because the shots are more effective.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specialist
noun
spe·cial·ist
ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst
1
: a person who studies or works at a special occupation or branch of learning
an eye specialist
2
: an enlisted person in the army with a rank similar to that of corporal
Medical Definition
specialist
noun
spe·cial·ist
ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst
: a medical practitioner whose practice is limited to a particular class of patients (as children) or of diseases (as skin diseases) or of technique (as surgery)
especially
: a physician who is qualified by advanced training and certification by a specialty examining board to so limit his or her practice
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