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

Founded in 2020, HPL specializes in partnering and contracting outstanding individuals who drive public engagement at music shows, movie premieres, grand openings, official product launches, and other exclusive events. —Malana Vantyle, USA Today, 17 May 2025

The company specializes in adaptations of videogames and other non-traditional IP into television and film. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 May 2025

Dinner: Talat Market This walk-in only spot specializes in Thai cooking. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 May 2025

Read more: Prevention & Treatment Diet and Nutrition 28 Sources Mutchler is an award-winning journalist specializing in health and wellness content. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 16 May 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