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
Jason Goldman, a onetime Google and Twitter executive, has helped to guide his explorations, joining him in meetings with Silicon Valley specialists and Biden-era federal employees.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
In the case of Sanlorenzo, the builder has just opened a new showroom in the center of London, meaning budding entrepreneurs can walk in off Mayfair’s Park Lane and sit down with a specialist to discuss buying their first yacht.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
According to her foundation's statement, her family and lawyer have requested that she be transferred to specialist care in Tehran upon her medical team's advice, but authorities have refused to allow her to be moved.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
The most unsettled situation for SDSU is among the specialists, where there is more uncertainty now than before spring practice began six weeks ago.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
In the case of Sanlorenzo, the builder has just opened a new showroom in the center of London, meaning budding entrepreneurs can walk in off Mayfair’s Park Lane and sit down with a specialist to discuss buying their first yacht.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
According to her foundation's statement, her family and lawyer have requested that she be transferred to specialist care in Tehran upon her medical team's advice, but authorities have refused to allow her to be moved.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
The most unsettled situation for SDSU is among the specialists, where there is more uncertainty now than before spring practice began six weeks ago.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 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 4 May. 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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