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
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.
The college senior is hoping to assist and possibly teach special needs students after graduation, and has focused her capstone project around the subject. Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025 The teams also visit people in hospitals, in hospice, with special needs or developmental challenges and those dealing with disasters. Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025 In 2019, Pulte offered to help a Marine veteran seeking help to purchase an expensive service dog for his special needs son. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025 The situation highlights the systemic challenges in safeguarding children with special needs, particularly when caregivers provide conflicting or misleading accounts. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for special needs

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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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