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
One of the crisis management specialists allegedly employed by Justin Baldoni has filed their own lawsuit against Blake Lively, accusing the actress of defamation.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
Emily Levy, Ed.D., a learning specialist and the founder and director of EBL Coaching, points out that most kids who were in fourth grade in 2024 were in kindergarten during the pandemic.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 4 Feb. 2025
However, the soldiers, all aviation specialists, are in the country not to engage in combat but to provide medical evacuations, which until now were being handled by U.S. and Dominican military aircraft.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Your family physician or child’s pediatrician can provide a referral to a specialist for an evaluation and treatment.
—Carrie E. Bearden, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specialist 
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Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2025
Emily Levy, Ed.D., a learning specialist and the founder and director of EBL Coaching, points out that most kids who were in fourth grade in 2024 were in kindergarten during the pandemic.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 4 Feb. 2025
However, the soldiers, all aviation specialists, are in the country not to engage in combat but to provide medical evacuations, which until now were being handled by U.S. and Dominican military aircraft.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Your family physician or child’s pediatrician can provide a referral to a specialist for an evaluation and treatment.
—Carrie E. Bearden, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for specialist
Articles Related to specialist
Dictionary Entries Near specialist
Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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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