specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspe-sh(ə-)list How to pronounce specialist (audio)
1
: one who specializes in a particular occupation, practice, or field of study
a specialist in disorders of the immune system
a specialist in international law
"What does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime?"Arthur Conan Doyle
2
: an enlisted rank in the U.S. Army corresponding to the grade of corporal
also : any of several former enlisted ranks corresponding to the grades of sergeant through sergeant major
3
: an organism (such as a bird) specialized especially in food or habitat
specialist adjective
or specialistic

Examples of specialist in a Sentence

She consulted a marketing specialist when she decided to go into business. He saw a specialist for his foot problem.
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.
Clay Bishop, animal care specialist at ACS, shared the emotional farewell from staff. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Aside from a handful of bag specialists based at the Hermès headquarters on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, they’re all housed under the same roof. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 May 2025 In the beginning, photography was largely a specialists’ medium, the domain of a few inventors and commercial studios. Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 24 May 2025 For instance, seeing a specialist might not be covered by insurance, and even visiting a primary care physician may require taking too much time off work or paying for childcare. Lynya Floyd, Allure, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for specialist

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of specialist was in 1836

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Cite this Entry

“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

specialist

noun
spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce specialist (audio)
1
: a person who studies or works at a special occupation or branch of learning
an eye specialist
2
: an enlisted person in the army with a rank similar to that of corporal
specialist adjective
or specialistic

Medical Definition

specialist

noun
spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce specialist (audio)
: a medical practitioner whose practice is limited to a particular class of patients (as children) or of diseases (as skin diseases) or of technique (as surgery)
especially : a physician who is qualified by advanced training and certification by a specialty examining board to so limit his or her practice

More from Merriam-Webster on specialist

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