specialize
to pursue some special line of study, work, etc.; have a specialty: The doctor specializes in gastroenterology.
Biology. (of an organism or one of its organs) to be adapted to a special function or environment.
to render special or specific; invest with a special character, function, etc.
to adapt to special conditions; restrict to specific limits.
to restrict payment of (a negotiable instrument) by endorsing over to a specific payee.
to specify; particularize.
Origin of specialize
1- Also especially British, spe·cial·ise .
Other words from specialize
- spe·cial·i·za·tion [spesh-uh-lahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌspɛʃ ə laɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun
- non·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
- o·ver·spe·cial·ize, verb, o·ver·spe·cial·ized, o·ver·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- pre·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), pre·spe·cial·ized, pre·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- sub·spe·cial·ize, verb, sub·spe·cial·ized, sub·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- su·per·spe·cial·ize, verb (used without object), su·per·spe·cial·ized, su·per·spe·cial·iz·ing.
- un·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use specialize in a sentence
Specialising in history was an elastic activity, and might mean a few hours a week in which to read up political economy.
The Loom of Youth | Alec WaughIn weaving there is even more intricate division of labour, each town or district specialising upon some particular line of goods.
The Evolution of Modern Capitalism | John Atkinson HobsonIn the ever greater and greater specialising of science which has taken place, Huxley was chiefly a morphologist.
A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) | George SaintsburyAfter due reflection I decided to start as a launderer, specialising in washing shirts at ten pfennigs, or one penny, apiece.
Sixteen Months in Four German Prisons | Henry Charles MahoneyHis heart, I think, began by being fairly large, but got contracted through specialising in this passion.
British Dictionary definitions for specialize
specialise
/ (ˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz) /
(intr) to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity
(usually passive) to cause (organisms or their parts) to develop in a way most suited to a particular environment or way of life or (of organisms, etc) to develop in this way
(tr) to modify or make suitable for a special use or purpose
(tr) to mention specifically; specify
(tr) to endorse (a commercial paper) to a specific payee
Derived forms of specialize
- specialization or specialisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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