specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspe-shəl-tē 

plural specialties

often attributive

1

: a distinctive mark or quality

2

a

: a special object or class of objects: such as

(1)

: a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument

(2)

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

fried chicken is my specialty

b

: the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar

3

: something in which one specializes

Synonyms

• area
• arena
• bailiwick
• barony
• business
• circle
• demesne
• department
• discipline
• domain
• element
• fief
• fiefdom
• field
• firmament
• front
• game
• kingdom
• line
• precinct
• province
• realm
• sphere
• terrain
• walk

Examples of specialty in a Sentence

Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty.

a doctor with a specialty in dermatology

Recent Examples on the Web

After studying agroecology with a specialty in soil science at the University of Santa Cruz, Cobb began work at Ferrari-Carano in 1994 and launched the first soil lab there. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2024

Co-created by Maria Cecilia Oliveira – a Brazilian academic with a specialty in environmental politics – the experience builds an immersive soundscape to explore the layers and voices of the Amazon River. —Ben Croll, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024

The twist with Maiz y Agave, which is led by executive chef Christian Moreno, each floor has its own specialty and distinction. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024

Both restaurants feature regional Mexican specialties, but while Felix focuses on brunch, lunch and holiday pop-up bars in its 200-seat space, Alma Fonda Fina just has 40 seats and is only open for dinner. —Lily O'Neill, The Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2024

Medical school debt is just one factor in students’ decisions about choosing a specialty or the location of their residency. —Ezekiel J. Emanuel and Matthew Guido, STAT, 22 Apr. 2024

Made with fresh crisp tortillas and green salsa, the dish gets topped with warm baked chihuahua cheese and cilantro (go extra and top it with steak and eggs, their specialty). —Ari Bendersky, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024

The idea was to free up space to increase the number of specialty skilled nursing beds available for patients with long-term and complex mental health care needs. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

Her specialty was butter chicken and not much else. —The Enquirer, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English specialte, from Anglo-French especialté, from Late Latin specialitat-, specialitas, from Latin specialis special

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialty

• specialty of the house
• specialty shop
• sub-specialty

Kids Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

1

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

eggs were the cook's specialty

2

: something a person specializes in or has special knowledge of

Medical Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

: something (as a branch of medicine) in which one specializes

Legal Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty

plural specialties

1

[from the special form of the contract] : formal contract at contract

2

: a doctrine providing that a person extradited can be prosecuted only for the charges described in the order for extradition

3

: real property (as a parcel of land or especially a structure) that is of such specialized character that no market for it exists and for which value upon condemnation is determined by the cost of reproduction less depreciation

—used especially in New York