subspecialty

noun

sub·​spe·​cial·​ty ˌsəb-ˈspe-shəl-tē 

variants or less commonly sub-specialty

plural subspecialties also sub-specialties

: a specialty that is part of a broader specialty

Child psychiatry is a subspecialty of general psychiatry, just as hematology is of internal medicine.

—Bruno Bettelheim and Alvin A. Rosenfeld

An entire subspecialty known as machine learning is devoted to building algorithms that allow computers to develop new behaviors based on experience.

—Adam Piore

Examples of subspecialty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This creates financial disincentives for graduating medical students and residents to enter the pediatric subspecialty workforce. —Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), founded in 1992, was an early institutionalization of longevity medicine as a clinical subspecialty, historically oriented toward physician attendees. —Robert Glatter, Forbes.com, 4 June 2026

The rigorous specialty and subspecialty certifications for everything from pediatrics and emergency medicine to dermatology and orthopedic surgery come from national organizations that set standards and are part of the American Board of Medical Specialties. —Phoebe Quinton, AJC.com, 1 June 2026

Importantly, these recommendations apply to adolescents as well as adults, acknowledging that the disease often begins years before patients reach subspecialty care. —Sarah Berg, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subspecialty

• specialty

Medical Definition

subspecialty

noun

sub·​spe·​cial·​ty ˌsəb-ˈspesh-əl-tē, ˈsəb-ˌ 

plural subspecialties

: a subordinate field of specialization

child psychiatry is a subspecialty of general psychiatry

—Bruno Bettelheim et al.