specialize

verb

spe·​cial·​ize ˈspe-shə-ˌlīz 

specialized; specializing

1

intransitive

a

: to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity, field, or practice

a doctor who specializes in pediatrics

an attorney who specializes in estate planning

Everywhere, the pressure is on young people to specialize.

—Donald Kaul

b

: to have a characteristic, habitual way of behaving, speaking, etc.

… the halftime commentator on ESPN 2, who specialized in inanities throughout the tournament …

—Jonathan Wilson

… a computer industry that seems to specialize in simultaneous hype and obfuscation …

—Walter S. Mossberg

The anti-environmental presidency was orchestrated by administration insiders who have specialized in being out of touch …

—Gregg Easterbrook

2

intransitive biology : to undergo specialization (see specialization sense 2) or differentiation

As cells begin to specialize into adult tissues, methylation seems to inactivate genes that are no longer needed.

—John Travis

especially : to change adaptively

… diversity comes about because each different fish has to specialize, to find its own niche where it can do better than its competitors.

—Kenneth E. F. Watt

3

transitive : to apply or direct (something or someone) to a specific end, use, or specialty

specialized their study

… media are evolving so quickly that education of the future will probably be forced to specialize students in one or another media-type, no longer producing a single "literate" man.

—Henry G. Burger

Even some small police departments have seen fit to specialize their investigative units …

—Daniel S. McDevitt

4

transitive dated : to make particular mention of (something) : specify, particularize

… Edward dares not specialize what alone he dreads.

—Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Examples of specialize in a Sentence

Some carpenters do a wide range of jobs, while others specialize.

Recent Examples on the Web

As a musician, Rooster (aka Gud, the Stockholm producer of Sad Boys fame), specializes in a sort of psychic worldbuilding, constructing dusty rooms then stumbling through the scaffolding. —Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2025

Tonello, the Italian company specializing in sustainable technologies for denim and garment washing, dyeing, and finishing, offers multiple alternatives to PP. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Dec. 2025

This list comprises vocational and career-focused schools, primarily specializing in beauty, cosmetology, hair design, and related trades, with a few institutions offering career training in healthcare and interactive entertainment. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

Aleo, which specializes in private blockchain transactions, isn’t the only privacy-first technology of its kind in crypto. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing specialize

• sub-specialize

Rhymes for specialize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

specialize

verb

spe·​cial·​ize ˈspesh-ə-ˌlīz 

specialized; specializing

1

: to limit one's attention or energy to one business, subject, or study

2

: to undergo specialization

Medical Definition

specialize

intransitive verb

spe·​cial·​ize

variants also British specialise

ˈspesh-ə-ˌlīz 

specialized also British specialised; specializing also British specialising

1

: to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity or field : become or be a specialist

specialize in anesthesiology

2

: to undergo evolutionary specialization