specialization — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The act or process of specializing.

   Usage

   • British
   • English
   • Oxford
   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

2. The area in which someone specializes.

   Usage

   • British
   • English
   • Oxford
   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Many MBA programs now allow students to obtain a specialization in sport management. This differs from the joint degree programs in that only one degree, an MBA, is awarded (i.e., a separate master's degree in sport management is not awarded). The MBA with a sport management specialization should be considered as a second option in lieu of the joint degree.

3. The adaptation of an organism to a specific environment, or adaptation of an organ to a particular function.

   Usage

   • British
   • English
   • Oxford
   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Specialization is frequently divided into two categories largely based on methods of study: food specialization and specialization with respect to microhabitat.

4. A proof, axiom, problem, or definition whose cases are completely covered by another, broader concept.

   Usage

   • British
   • English
   • Oxford
   • US usage
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   A triangle is a specialization of a polygon to one with exactly three sides.

Noun

1. the act of specializing; making something suitable for a special purpose

   Synonyms

   specialisation

   Broader terms

   change of state

2. the special line of work you have adopted as your career

   Synonyms

   specialisationspecialtyspecialityspecialism

   Broader terms

   careercallingvocation

   Examples

   his specialization is gastroenterology

3. (biology) the structural adaptation of some body part for a particular function

   Synonyms

   specialisationdifferentiation

   Broader terms

   adaptationadaptionadjustment

   Examples

   cell differentiation in the developing embryo