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 centers, some of which also focus on children with special needs, received $5.3 million from April 2022 to December 2024 through a stabilization fund provided by the city.
—
Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
With dishes that are adjusted almost daily and are tailored to the special needs of each diner’s reservation, veteran restaurateur Birdie Yang has shot for the stars and hit one.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025
Gregg has special needs and has worked at Mohegan Sun since right after high school.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025
Emmanuel, the son of a pastor, currently works as a school bus driver in a public school system, transporting children, including those with special needs.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
With dishes that are adjusted almost daily and are tailored to the special needs of each diner’s reservation, veteran restaurateur Birdie Yang has shot for the stars and hit one.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025
Gregg has special needs and has worked at Mohegan Sun since right after high school.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025
Emmanuel, the son of a pastor, currently works as a school bus driver in a public school system, transporting children, including those with special needs.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 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 29 Jul. 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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