special needs

plural noun

: any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)

students with special needs

special-needs

ˈspe-shəl-ˈnēdz 

adjective

or special needs

special-needs children

a special needs teacher

Examples of special needs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Naredo, Thriving Mind’s CEO, said state and local health administrators have a responsibility to vet assisted living facilities that accept people with mental illness and special needs. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

The unit regulates vehicles for hire, including taxicabs, limousines, shuttle vans and special needs transportation vehicles. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Long on enthusiasm, short on action Jeremy Hilton, an Air Force Academy graduate, recognized the extent of gaps in family care after becoming a full-time father and advocate for his daughter, who has special needs. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 25 Sep. 2026

Now that he is healed, Oatmeal has shown just how amazing special needs pets are. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for special needs

• centipedes
• intercedes
• millipedes
• supersedes
• accedes
• concedes
• exceeds
• impedes
• misdeeds
• misleads
• oilseeds
• precedes

Kids Definition

special needs

plural noun

: any of various difficulties (such as physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)

special–needs adjective

Medical Definition

special needs

noun plural

: the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one

Some urban homeschooled kids, particularly those with special needs, were previously enrolled in school but not served well there.

—Linda Perlstein, Newsweek

special-needs adjective

special-needs students