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 Junior Charlie McGee became the first college student with special needs to be accepted into a fraternity at Clemson University, CBS News reported. Escher Walcott, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 Ross Porter: Fernando loved golf and our family has hosted a celebrity tournament to fund our son’s nonprofit which assists special needs families. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024 Young children and children with special needs should have an adult present. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Oct. 2024 His son has special needs, though; how would that work? Charlie Mason, TVLine, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for special needs 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'special needs.' 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

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of special needs was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near special needs

Cite this Entry

“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

special needs

plural noun
: any of various difficulties (such as 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)
special–needs adjective

Medical 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
special-needs adjective
special-needs students
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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