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
The Vanderbilt hospital is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center within 150 miles, the top designation verified by the American College of Surgeons for around-the-clock specialists, a high volume of trauma cases, robust research and quality patient care.
—Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Arroyo, due to her college experience, could potentially start ahead of veteran defensive specialists Naylani Feliciano and Olivia Durst.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
His seventh and last child, daughter Love Sean Combs, was born in October 2022 with model and cybersecurity specialist Dana Tran.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
While Showgirl isn’t likely to repeat those heights owing to its specialist focus and shorter run, its impact is still considerable for the current October box office.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for specialist
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Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Arroyo, due to her college experience, could potentially start ahead of veteran defensive specialists Naylani Feliciano and Olivia Durst.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
His seventh and last child, daughter Love Sean Combs, was born in October 2022 with model and cybersecurity specialist Dana Tran.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
While Showgirl isn’t likely to repeat those heights owing to its specialist focus and shorter run, its impact is still considerable for the current October box office.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 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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