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
Arthur Conan Doyle2
: 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
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
While Keith worked as an audiovisual specialist at Best Buy, Sherri had previously been an account executive for AT&T, per The Sacramento Bee.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
Bottom watering is another good option for potted plants during a heat wave, said Karen Mitchell, a Purdue University College of Agriculture consumer horticulture extension specialist.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 20 June 2024
Redick is an assertively brainy former Duke star who had a decent 15-year career as a three-point specialist for six teams, including the Clippers.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
Pieper McCue, John Carroll, sophomore, attacker The sophomore attacker and draw specialist recorded a career-high 150 draw controls, more than doubling her 72 total as a freshman.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for specialist 
Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
Bottom watering is another good option for potted plants during a heat wave, said Karen Mitchell, a Purdue University College of Agriculture consumer horticulture extension specialist.
—Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 20 June 2024
Redick is an assertively brainy former Duke star who had a decent 15-year career as a three-point specialist for six teams, including the Clippers.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024
Pieper McCue, John Carroll, sophomore, attacker The sophomore attacker and draw specialist recorded a career-high 150 draw controls, more than doubling her 72 total as a freshman.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for specialist
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'specialist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Specialist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/specialist. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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