- past tense form of specialize.
- past participle of specialize.
specialized
Americanadjective
-
invested with a special character or restricted to a special function or field of activity.
He campaigned for a specialized burn department to be established at the hospital.
The humanities, once a highly specialized pursuit, have rapidly become a much broader conversation.
-
Biology. (of an organism or organ) adapted to a special function or environment.
If the coastal sage scrub were to vanish, so would these specialized species of insects that are dependent on it.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of specialized
Explanation
Someone or something specialized has a specific purpose or function. A podiatrist is a specialized doctor. With months of specialized training, a person could learn to walk over hot coals. Good thing that there are doctors specialized in fixing feet. The word specialized comes from special. Something special is important, notable, or unique in some way. A specialized hammer is made for one, specific purpose. A specialized teacher has expertise in a particular subject. NASCAR drivers use specialized cars, and assemble-at-home furniture comes with specialized tools. The opposite of a specialized thing is a general thing, which could be used in many circumstances. Something specialized is tailored to one job.
Vocabulary lists containing specialized
Cell Biology - Middle School
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Cell Biology - High School
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Members of the order Xylariales are known for producing a variety of specialized chemical compounds and enzymes capable of breaking down complex molecules in plants.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026
Solid chemicals are generally easier to store or reroute than liquids, which require specialized transportation and storage infrastructure, it said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
Navy subcontracting work and was tapped to help build a specialized auxiliary ship for a missile-defense system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
A clearer map of the LC's specialized pathways could help scientists develop therapies that act more selectively on the circuits involved in particular symptoms.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
Crop development is today a conscious, highly specialized effort carried out by professional scientists.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
