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
Unless your website is massive, a competent SEO specialist should be able to fix everything in a few hours.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
As Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointees go, McMurray, an attorney as well as a construction and infrastructure specialist, is atypically experienced and well qualified.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
How To Keep Wasps Away From Your Home Meet The Experts
Elmer Gray is a researcher and public health specialist for the University of Georgia Extension.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Tim Manley, former grizzly bear management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, says human-bear encounters have also increased as populations expand and move closer to human settlements.
—Benjamin Alva Polley, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
As Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointees go, McMurray, an attorney as well as a construction and infrastructure specialist, is atypically experienced and well qualified.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025
How To Keep Wasps Away From Your Home Meet The Experts
Elmer Gray is a researcher and public health specialist for the University of Georgia Extension.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Tim Manley, former grizzly bear management specialist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, says human-bear encounters have also increased as populations expand and move closer to human settlements.
—Benjamin Alva Polley, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for specialist
Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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
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