specialize

[spesh-uh-lahyz]

See more synonyms for specialize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing.

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.

verb (used with object), spe·cial·ized, spe·cial·iz·ing.

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.

Also especially British, spe·cial·ise.

Origin of specialize

From the French word spécialiser, dating back to 1605–15. See special, -ize

Related formsspe·cial·i·za·tion, nounnon·spe·cial·ized, adjectivenon·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjectiveo·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·ized, adjectiveun·spe·cial·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for specialized

Contemporary Examples

Diagnosis of CTE is often considered to be specialized and has to occur at a designated institution like Boston University.
Will the NCAA Let Ohio State’s Kosta Karageorge Die in Vain?
Robert Silverman
December 1, 2014
We saw the emergence of fashion designers who specialized in creating abayas.
Saudi Activist Manal Al-Sharif on Why She Removed the Veil
Manal Al Sharif, Advancing Human Rights
October 30, 2014
But putting the specialized troops the Pentagon calls “Joint Terminal Air Controllers,” or JTACs, into combat comes with a cost.
Air Force Pilots Say They're Flying Blind Against ISIS
Dave Majumdar
October 10, 2014
Percy Heath, a merry fellow, specialized in leading the Reverend Professor Doctor astray and had a lot of fun with him.
The Stacks: H.L. Mencken on the 1904 Baltimore Fire
H.L. Mencken
October 4, 2014
I find faculty learning about their specific, specialized research areas, but also about the wider society and natural world.
The Elite American College Pile-On
Michael S. Roth
September 15, 2014

Historical Examples

When some women were specialized for motherhood then there were surplus women.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
He does not seem to appreciate how specialized they are for pleasure.
City of Endless Night
Milo Hastings
There are other specialized products to which it could be well extended.
Herbert Hoover
Vernon Kellogg
Plumules: specialized scales of the androconia of male Lepidoptera.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology
John. B. Smith
Individuals have specialized at the expense of a whole life.
The Psychology of Nations
G.E. Partridge

British Dictionary definitions for specialized

specialize

specialise

verb

(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 Formsspecialization 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

Word Origin and History for specialized

specialize

v.

1610s, "to indicate specially," from special + -ize. Sense of "engage in a special study or line of business" is first attested 1881; biological sense is from 1851. Related: Specialized; specializing.

specialized in Medicine

specialize

(spĕsh′ə-līz′)

To limit one's profession to a particular specialty or subject area for study, research, or treatment.
To adapt to a particular function or environment.

specialize

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}specialize

Examples from the Web for specialized

Contemporary Examples

Diagnosis of CTE is often considered to be specialized and has to occur at a designated institution like Boston University.

We saw the emergence of fashion designers who specialized in creating abayas.

But putting the specialized troops the Pentagon calls “Joint Terminal Air Controllers,” or JTACs, into combat comes with a cost.

Percy Heath, a merry fellow, specialized in leading the Reverend Professor Doctor astray and had a lot of fun with him.

I find faculty learning about their specific, specialized research areas, but also about the wider society and natural world.

Historical Examples

When some women were specialized for motherhood then there were surplus women.

He does not seem to appreciate how specialized they are for pleasure.

There are other specialized products to which it could be well extended.

Plumules: specialized scales of the androconia of male Lepidoptera.

Individuals have specialized at the expense of a whole life.

specialize

specialise

Word Origin and History for specialized

specialize

v.

specialize

Origin of specialize