specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspe-shəl-tē How to pronounce specialty (audio)
plural specialties
often attributive
1
: a distinctive mark or quality
2
a
: a special object or class of objects: such as
(1)
: a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument
(2)
: a product of a special kind or of special excellence
fried chicken is my specialty
b
: the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar
3
: something in which one specializes

Examples of specialty in a Sentence

Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty. a doctor with a specialty in dermatology
Recent Examples on the Web The event served plates of sautéed scallops and beet salads from the restaurant’s signature menu, along with specialty cocktails. Elizabeth Taylor, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 Dough Zone Dumpling House is now open in Walnut Creek, offering Contra Costa County its selection of specialty dim sum dumplings. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Its researchers are studying more than a hundred different diseases, conditions and specialties with an overall focus on translating discoveries and knowledge into better health. Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024 The co-founder of a specialty pharmacy that was at the center of a deadly national meningitis outbreak in 2012 pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in Michigan, authorities said Tuesday. Ed White, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 What: Live music, specialty drinks and classic Irish grub, including bangers and mash, corned beef sandwiches, shepherd's pie and green cotton candy. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024 This was key to the group’s success, because its specialty was fitting secret compartments in passenger buses, such as those travelling from Iguala to Chicago. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 In fact, many states have passed anti-steerage bills in recent years that prohibit PBMs from requiring physicians to route prescriptions to corporate specialty pharmacies, recognizing that such steerage is explicitly profit-, not patient-centric. Samyukta Mullangi, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 The outdoor kitchens stay open only for the duration of the Flower & Garden Festival, providing specialty menu items that are exclusive to the festival. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specialty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English specialte, from Anglo-French especialté, from Late Latin specialitat-, specialitas, from Latin specialis special

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of specialty was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near specialty

Cite this Entry

“Specialty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

specialty

noun
spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē How to pronounce specialty (audio)
plural specialties
1
: a product of a special kind or of special excellence
eggs were the cook's specialty
2
: something a person specializes in or has special knowledge of

Medical Definition

specialty

noun
spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē How to pronounce specialty (audio)
plural specialties
: something (as a branch of medicine) in which one specializes

Legal Definition

specialty

noun
spe·​cial·​ty
plural specialties
1
[from the special form of the contract] : formal contract at contract
2
: a doctrine providing that a person extradited can be prosecuted only for the charges described in the order for extradition
3
: real property (as a parcel of land or especially a structure) that is of such specialized character that no market for it exists and for which value upon condemnation is determined by the cost of reproduction less depreciation
used especially in New York

More from Merriam-Webster on specialty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!