specialized

adjective

spe·​cial·​ized ˈspe-shə-ˌlīzd How to pronounce specialized (audio)
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

Examples of specialized in a Sentence

specialized regions of the brain specialized gear for deep-sea fishing
Recent Examples on the Web When buses show up late, students lose time that should be spent learning, interacting with their peers or receiving specialized services. Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 These 12 states may still charge property taxes on specialized vehicles like construction or farm equipment, and many charge sales or title taxes when a vehicle is transferred to a new owner. Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The goal was to have more specialized and targeted representation for state scientists. Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 Though some larger publications may have specialized teams, most independent publishers are Jacks or Jills of all trades. Anat (anne Moss) El Hashahar, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 An international team of researchers took high-speed videos of groups of fish in a tank to observe how this specialized muscle works to make noise. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Feb. 2024 Commodities prices for the copper and specialized electrical steel needed to produce transformers have doubled since 2020. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 The brand also offers a few more specialized options, including ones targeted towards boosting metabolism, revitalizing gut health, and meals designed to improve your mental and physical performance. Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2024 What was the pin factory example but a way of conveying the crucial truth that production of market goods soars and the prices of market goods plummet the more specialized hands and machines that are cooperating in the production of everything. John Tamny, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specialized.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of specialized was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near specialized

Cite this Entry

“Specialized.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialized. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

specialized

adjective
1
: characterized by or exhibiting biological specialization
2
: designed, trained, or fitted for one particular purpose or occupation

More from Merriam-Webster on specialized

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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