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

Rosatom also said work was continuing on the plant and that additional Russian specialists were expected to arrive. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Aesthetic nurse specialist Roxette Romanes of SkinSpirit’s Roslyn Heights location said ZO’s economics are broadly similar to those of other professional skincare brands the clinic carries. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

As a result, environmental health specialists believe, residents were probably re-exposed to the toxins in the dust in their own homes for months after the attacks. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Einhorn had a list of candidates, which included a number of seasoned media specialists—and also Feldstein, who worked as a military-affairs spokesperson for Netanyahu. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

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