specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspe-sh(ə-)list 

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

ˌspe-shə-ˈli-stik 

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

Researchers developed it specifically to preserve cognitive function, Maggie Moon, MS, RD, brain health nutrition specialist and best-selling author of The MIND Diet, told Health. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 9 Apr. 2024

JPMorgan Chase, meanwhile, has invested heavily in the technology, hiring roughly 2,000 machine-learning specialists and data scientists, and exploring avenues to incorporate the technology into every job at the firm, Dimon said. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024

Meet the Expert Kyle Patterson is the management specialist and public affairs officer for Rocky Mountain National Park. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 8 Apr. 2024

The series features a high-profile lineup of influential women’s healthcare specialists, including Dr. Mary Claire Haver, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Galveston, Texas, who has a following of more than 3 million on social media. —Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

And of the nine maternal-fetal medicine specialists working in Idaho before the ban was enacted, only four are left. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Tellingly, Jayasekara toured more than 25 countries to set up his network of suppliers: think reindeer and cloudberries from Norway; single-origin chocolate via a Suffolk specialist; tuna and mirin from Tokyo; and coconut cream from—where else?—Sri Lanka. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2024

So, become a specialist and become the best specialist in your niche out there. —Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2024

Mixed Experiences: While Turkey offers great hair transplant options, there are only a handful of really qualified specialists in Istanbul, making thorough research even more essential. —Chris Gallagher, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialist

• specialist shop
• sub-specialist

Kids Definition

specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst 

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

ˌspesh-ə-ˈlis-tik 

Medical Definition

specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst 

: 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