special needs
plural noun
: any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)
students with special needs
special-needs
adjective
or special needs
special-needs children
a special needs teacher
Examples of special needs in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Montgomery County’s superintendent recommended revoking the charter of MECCA Business Learning Institute because of concerns about transportation and other services for students with special needs.
—
Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
This year's event will also spotlight 15 special needs dogs and showcase senior dogs in a special halftime exhibition.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Among the puppy players are 15 pooches with special needs, a record number for the Puppy Bowl field.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Fifteen special needs dogs will also compete.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
This year's event will also spotlight 15 special needs dogs and showcase senior dogs in a special halftime exhibition.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Among the puppy players are 15 pooches with special needs, a record number for the Puppy Bowl field.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Fifteen special needs dogs will also compete.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Cite this Entry
“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
special needs
noun plural
: the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one
Some urban homeschooled kids, particularly those with special needs, were previously enrolled in school but not served well there.—Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
special-needs
adjective
special-needs students
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share