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
adjective
or special needs
special-needs children
a special needs teacher
Examples of special needs in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another boy, 9, with special needs, was also found inside the residence, unharmed, in a bedroom.
—
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The university previously told 7News that Bozeman was active in community service, including volunteering with the Special Olympics and organizing events for children with special needs.
—7news Wjla, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
According to the release, 15 participating dogs have special needs, including Wynonna, a determined pup with only three legs; and Eleanor, who is both deaf and vision-impaired.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Feb. 2026
Fifteen dogs with special needs will also compete, and senior dogs will appear in a special exhibition game.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The university previously told 7News that Bozeman was active in community service, including volunteering with the Special Olympics and organizing events for children with special needs.
—7news Wjla, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
According to the release, 15 participating dogs have special needs, including Wynonna, a determined pup with only three legs; and Eleanor, who is both deaf and vision-impaired.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Feb. 2026
Fifteen dogs with special needs will also compete, and senior dogs will appear in a special exhibition game.
—Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Cite this Entry
“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
special-needs
adjective
special-needs students
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
