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

Burgio, whose agency, Blue Parallel, specializes in planning luxury trips to Brazil, often stays at the 20-room Hamares Boutique Hotel, where some villas have private pools overlooking the Atlantic. —Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

The letter was addressed to Meta chief legal officer Jennifer Newstead, sent on behalf of the trade org by Naresh Kilaru, a partner with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, a law firm specializing in intellectual property matters. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025

Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance writer who specializes in hiking, travel and fitness. —CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Jim Curtis, a life coach who specializes in hypnotherapy, gushed about his new love while celebrating his birthday. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 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