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
Arkansas special teams coordinator Chad Lunsford recruited the three specialists.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026
Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest arms manufacturer, gained over 7% in early trade, while military technology and surveillance specialist Hensoldt advanced almost 7%.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Anna Regalado, the authority’s agricultural specialist, will share information about the goals of the plan and how input from the public and important stakeholders—including farmers, farmworkers and ranchers—will influence the plan.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Choose Furniture Wisely Thoughtful layouts are essential when deciding how to decorate a small space, and according to design-build specialist Elizabeth Vergara, building a sense of balance and an open feeling through furniture size and placement will make all the difference.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026
Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest arms manufacturer, gained over 7% in early trade, while military technology and surveillance specialist Hensoldt advanced almost 7%.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Anna Regalado, the authority’s agricultural specialist, will share information about the goals of the plan and how input from the public and important stakeholders—including farmers, farmworkers and ranchers—will influence the plan.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Choose Furniture Wisely Thoughtful layouts are essential when deciding how to decorate a small space, and according to design-build specialist Elizabeth Vergara, building a sense of balance and an open feeling through furniture size and placement will make all the difference.
—Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 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 6 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share