subspecialty

noun

sub·​spe·​cial·​ty ˌsəb-ˈspe-shəl-tē How to pronounce subspecialty (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The split would foster subspecialty development, research, and innovation in these historically underexplored areas while giving young doctors the opportunity to specialize in one or the other. Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 So, hepatology is a subspecialty under gastroenterology.5 Gastroenterology vs Hepatology Specialist appointments can be hard to find. Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2024 The niche subspecialty demands delicate hands, unflappable focus, and a nuanced understanding of developmental biology. Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024 The company is a market leader in subspecialty teleradiology and provides services for outpatient imaging centers, orthopedic practices, university healthcare systems, and professional sports teams. Andrew Gaudet, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subspecialty 

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subspecialty was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near subspecialty

Cite this Entry

“Subspecialty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subspecialty. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

subspecialty

noun
sub·​spe·​cial·​ty ˌsəb-ˈspesh-əl-tē, ˈsəb-ˌ How to pronounce subspecialty (audio)
plural subspecialties
: a subordinate field of specialization
child psychiatry is a subspecialty of general psychiatryBruno Bettelheim et al.

More from Merriam-Webster on subspecialty

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