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
Marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, who has close Hollywood ties and is a festivals specialist, is back at the helm eight years after she was forced to step down due to political infighting in 2017 following a five-year stint.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 June 2025
The presence of the Truxtun complicates any potential Houthi attempts to target non-U. S. ships within the carrier strike group, the specialist outlet The Maritime Executive said.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Other awardees included Michael Bichler, a special education specialist at Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
If your child lives with body image issues or has signs of disordered eating, please reach out to a therapist or eating disorder specialist for help and support.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 June 2025
The presence of the Truxtun complicates any potential Houthi attempts to target non-U. S. ships within the carrier strike group, the specialist outlet The Maritime Executive said.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Other awardees included Michael Bichler, a special education specialist at Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
If your child lives with body image issues or has signs of disordered eating, please reach out to a therapist or eating disorder specialist for help and support.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for specialist
Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 9 Jun. 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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