specialized

adjective

spe·​cial·​ized ˈspe-shə-ˌlīzd 

1

: characterized by or exhibiting biological specialization

especially : highly differentiated especially in a particular direction or for a particular end

2

: designed, trained, or fitted for one particular purpose or occupation

specialized personnel

Synonyms

• special
• limited
• technical
• restricted
• specific
• esoteric

Examples of specialized in a Sentence

specialized regions of the brain

specialized gear for deep-sea fishing

Recent Examples on the Web

Its distinctive adaptations — seen in its face, massive teeth, powerful jaws, and now its hands — point toward a highly specialized diet of tough plant foods, rather than a heavy dependence on tool technology. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

Instead, they’re built for narrower, specialized tasks—and often shine in specific use cases. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025

Williams added that specialized presentations serve to highlight technical cotton technologies that Cotton Incorporated has developed. —Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

What began as a political slogan became a 50-year campaign of punishment in Black communities, carried out through surveillance, racial profiling, stop-and-frisk, and the rise of specialized police task forces. —Josiah Bates, Time, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for specialized

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised

Kids Definition

specialized

adjective

1

: characterized by or exhibiting biological specialization

2

: designed, trained, or fitted for one particular purpose or occupation