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
McMahon said the assessment has involved more than 68 engineers, city staff and other specialists from eight different companies.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Decision-support systems might expand the scope of practice for lower-cost clinicians—allowing primary-care physicians to handle cases once referred to specialists—and nurses to perform tasks previously reserved for doctors.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been experiencing soreness in his left hamate bone in the last couple of days, and will be evaluated by a specialist for a possible stress reaction, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns told reporters Tuesday.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike athletes who have a team of specialists interpreting their pain signals, everyday exercisers generally try to override their pain without interpretation.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Decision-support systems might expand the scope of practice for lower-cost clinicians—allowing primary-care physicians to handle cases once referred to specialists—and nurses to perform tasks previously reserved for doctors.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been experiencing soreness in his left hamate bone in the last couple of days, and will be evaluated by a specialist for a possible stress reaction, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns told reporters Tuesday.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Unlike athletes who have a team of specialists interpreting their pain signals, everyday exercisers generally try to override their pain without interpretation.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 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 14 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
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