specialize
verb
spe·cial·ize
ˈspe-shə-ˌlīz 
specialized; specializing
1
a
: to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity, field, or practice
a doctor who specializes in pediatrics
an attorney who specializes in estate planning
Everywhere, the pressure is on young people to specialize.—
Donald Kaul
Donald Kaul
b
: to have a characteristic, habitual way of behaving, speaking, etc.
… the halftime commentator on ESPN 2, who specialized in inanities throughout the tournament …—Jonathan Wilson
Jonathan Wilson… a computer industry that seems to specialize in simultaneous hype and obfuscation …—Walter S. Mossberg
Walter S. MossbergThe anti-environmental presidency was orchestrated by administration insiders who have specialized in being out of touch …—Gregg Easterbrook
Gregg Easterbrook2
intransitive
biology
: to undergo specialization (see specialization sense 2) or differentiation
As cells begin to specialize into adult tissues, methylation seems to inactivate genes that are no longer needed.—John Travis
John Travis
especially
: to change adaptively
… diversity comes about because each different fish has to specialize, to find its own niche where it can do better than its competitors. —Kenneth E. F. Watt
Kenneth E. F. Watt 3
transitive
: to apply or direct (something or someone) to a specific end, use, or specialty
specialized their study
… media are evolving so quickly that education of the future will probably be forced to specialize students in one or another media-type, no longer producing a single "literate" man.—Henry G. Burger
Henry G. BurgerEven some small police departments have seen fit to specialize their investigative units …—Daniel S. McDevitt
Daniel S. McDevitt4
transitive
dated
: to make particular mention of (something) : specify, particularize
… Edward dares not specialize what alone he dreads.—Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Edward Bulwer-LyttonExamples of specialize in a Sentence
Some carpenters do a wide range of jobs, while others specialize.
Recent Examples on the Web
The International Newcomer Center supports students who have greater mental health needs through a partnership with a private counseling and therapy clinic that specializes in providing mental health support to immigrants and refugees, the Sebastian Family Psychology Practice.
—Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Today's taco adventure takes us to a fast-casual eatery that specializes in quesadillas with nontraditional ingredients.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
The drama starring Stephen Amell and Josh McDermitt is set at a Los Angeles firm that specializes in entertainment and criminal law.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
The card was put up for auction by Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd., an auctioneer in Wiltshire, England, that specializes in Titanic memorabilia.
—Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024
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Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Today's taco adventure takes us to a fast-casual eatery that specializes in quesadillas with nontraditional ingredients.
—Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
The drama starring Stephen Amell and Josh McDermitt is set at a Los Angeles firm that specializes in entertainment and criminal law.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
The card was put up for auction by Henry Aldridge & Son Ltd., an auctioneer in Wiltshire, England, that specializes in Titanic memorabilia.
—Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for specialize
Dictionary Entries Near specialize
Cite this Entry
“Specialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialize. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
specialize
verb
spe·cial·ize
ˈspesh-ə-ˌlīz
specialized; specializing
1
: to limit one's attention or energy to one business, subject, or study
2
: to undergo specialization
Medical Definition
specialize
intransitive verb
spe·cial·ize
variants
also British specialise
specialized also British specialised; specializing also British specialising
1
: to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity or field : become or be a specialist
specialize in anesthesiology
2
: to undergo evolutionary specialization
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