specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspe-sh(ə-)list 

1

: one who specializes in a particular occupation, practice, or field of study

a specialist in disorders of the immune system

a specialist in international law

"What does Dr. James Mortimer, the man of science, ask of Sherlock Holmes, the specialist in crime?"

—Arthur Conan Doyle

2

: an enlisted rank in the U.S. Army corresponding to the grade of corporal

also : any of several former enlisted ranks corresponding to the grades of sergeant through sergeant major

3

: an organism (such as a bird) specialized especially in food or habitat

specialist adjective

or specialistic

ˌspe-shə-ˈli-stik 

Examples of specialist in a Sentence

She consulted a marketing specialist when she decided to go into business.

He saw a specialist for his foot problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Based in a European city (the EMA is based in Amsterdam), a European economic security network would assemble representatives of EU member states and specialists to centralize knowledge and expertise. —Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024

Publishers and specialists are struggling to keep up with the impact of new content Newsletter sign up (Image credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images) published 8 November 2024 Generative AI’s rapid rise over recent years has sparked panic about misinformation, job losses and more. —Abby Wilson, theweek, 8 Nov. 2024

The Tavitian Foundation also consulted Old Masters specialist and art consultant Etienne Bréton, Tavitian’s wife Isabella Meisinger, and art restorers David and Teresa Bull. —Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Stokes graduated from Seattle Central University with a bachelor's degree in marketing and is a mortgage specialist with CrossCountry Mortgage and a real estate agent with Rackley Realty. —Cary Jenkins, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialist

• specialist shop
• sub-specialist

Kids Definition

specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst 

1

: a person who studies or works at a special occupation or branch of learning

an eye specialist

2

: an enlisted person in the army with a rank similar to that of corporal

specialist adjective

or specialistic

ˌspesh-ə-ˈlis-tik 

Medical Definition

specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst 

: a medical practitioner whose practice is limited to a particular class of patients (as children) or of diseases (as skin diseases) or of technique (as surgery)

especially : a physician who is qualified by advanced training and certification by a specialty examining board to so limit his or her practice