specialization

noun

spe·​cial·​i·​za·​tion ˌspe-sh(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: a making or becoming specialized

2

a

: structural adaptation of a body part to a particular function or of an organism for life in a particular environment

b

: a body part or an organism adapted by specialization

Examples of specialization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Customers can personalize prescription glasses by choosing lens tints or specializations like blue light. —Roxana Becerril, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023

Neuropsychologist Murphy notes that early specialization in sports and other activities can backfire if a student doesn’t make a new team or their interests change, so keep options open for multiple activities to build self-worth and self-acceptance. —Ana Homayoun, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023

Some of them just require a lot of expertise and specialization that may not be available to people, say in rural areas or people without good insurance. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023

Nine classes—including one on modern art and ideas—are freely available via Coursera, an online learning platform that hosts more than 3,900 massive open online courses (MOOC) and specializations. —Maressa Brown, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023

Metamorphosis allows for extreme specialization: feeding and growing in the larval stage, then mating in the adult stage. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023

Moreover, Sigmon doesn’t think that the machine approach should be automatically counted out, citing the precision and specialization of modern garment-making equipment. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2023

Whereas American education often values small classes, the Chinese system tends to focus on efficiency and specialization. —Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023

The bottom line: a combination of economies of scale, network effects and unrivaled specialization has made TSMC irreplaceable—and has made the entire world deeply, precariously dependent on it. —Rob Toews, Forbes, 7 May 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialization

• sub-specialization

• sub-specialization

Kids Definition

specialization

noun

spe·​cial·​i·​za·​tion ˌspesh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: a making or becoming specialized

2

a

: a change in the structure of a body part so that it becomes suited for performing a particular function or of a whole plant or animal so that it is suited for life in a particular environment

b

: a body part or an organism changed by specialization

Medical Definition

specialization

noun

spe·​cial·​iza·​tion ˌspesh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

variants also British specialisation

ˌspesh-ə-ˌlī- 

1

: a making or becoming specialized

specialization in pediatrics

2

a

: structural adaptation of a body part to a particular function or of an organism for life in a particular environment

b

: a body part or an organism adapted by specialization