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

2

: 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

specialist adjective

or specialistic

ˌspe-shə-ˈli-stik 

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

However, the process became fraught with complications after a specialist warned Aimee that her reproductive system resembled that of a woman decades older. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026

However, hospitals typically involve specialists when patients develop particularly difficult medical problems. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

Former Republican Kurt Bardella was a senior House Oversight Committee adviser and communications specialist from 2009 to 2013, during California Republican Darrell Issa's tenure as chair. — Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026

Eric Karson, the martial-arts movie specialist who directed Chuck Norris in The Octagon and produced the Jean-Claude Van Damme-starring Lionheart, has died. — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialist

• specialist shop
• sub-specialist

Kids 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

specialist adjective

or specialistic

ˌspesh-ə-ˈlis-tik 

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