specialist

[spesh-uh-list]

noun

1. a person who is devoted to one subject or to one particular branch of a subject or pursuit.

2. a medical practitioner who devotes attention to a particular class of diseases, patients, etc.

3. U.S. Army.,  an enlisted person of one of four grades having technical or administrative duties, the grades corresponding to those of corporal through sergeant first class but not requiring the exercise of command.

4. Stock Exchange.,  a member of an exchange who buys and sells a single stock or a particular group of stocks in their own name or for other stockbrokers and thus helps maintain the market in those securities on that exchange.

specialist

/ ˈspɛʃəlɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who specializes in or devotes himself to a particular area of activity, field of research, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      specialist knowledge

2. an enlisted rank in the US Army denoting technical qualifications that entitle the holder to a noncommissioned officer's pay

3. ecology an organism that has special nutritional requirements and lives in a restricted habitat that provides these Compare generalist

Other Word Forms

• nonspecialist noun
• prespecialist noun
• subspecialist noun
• specialistic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of specialist¹

First recorded in 1855–60; special + -ist

Example Sentences

Study co-author is Abbey M. Appelt, a graduate of the FAU Department of Biological Sciences and a sea turtle nesting specialist at Ecological Associates, Inc., a South Florida environmental consulting firm.

Read more on Science Daily

There were no agents or public relations specialists watching over them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Councils also fund the transport to and from these more specialist settings, adding to the rising costs.

Read more on BBC

The Home Office said the day would focus on "remembering and recognising those impacted by terrorism, encouraging victims and survivors to access specialist support, educating the public, and amplifying victims' and survivors' stories".

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Although it’s unclear exactly when she was born, specialists estimate that she was roughly 141 old, making her the oldest resident of the zoo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• authority 
• consultant 
• doctor 
• guru 
• professional 
• scholar 
• technician