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
Arthur Conan Doyle2
: 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
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
Goel said companies such as AI spreadsheet specialist Shortcut have moved to Render from Vercel.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
But lower-body movements may increase circulation even more, added Andrew Carbone, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Orlando Health.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 17 Feb. 2026
It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
—Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
With Jansen signed, the Panthers will have at least two returning specialists during the upcoming season.
—Mike Kaye
february 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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.
Jordan Novet, CNBC, 17 Feb. 2026
But lower-body movements may increase circulation even more, added Andrew Carbone, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Orlando Health.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 17 Feb. 2026
It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
—Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
With Jansen signed, the Panthers will have at least two returning specialists during the upcoming season.
—Mike Kaye
february 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
