specialist

noun

spe·​cial·​ist ˈspe-sh(ə-)list How to pronounce specialist (audio)
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

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
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.
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 See all Example Sentences for specialist 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of specialist was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near specialist

Cite this Entry

“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

specialist

noun
spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce specialist (audio)
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

Medical Definition

specialist

noun
spe·​cial·​ist ˈspesh-(ə-)ləst How to pronounce specialist (audio)
: 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
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