SPECIALISATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does specialisation mean? 

• SPECIALISATION (noun)
  The noun SPECIALISATION has 3 senses:

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

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

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

  Familiarity information: SPECIALISATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPECIALISATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

differentiation; specialisation; specialization

Context example:

cell differentiation in the developing embryo

Hypernyms ("specialisation" is a kind of...):

adaptation; adaption; adjustment (the process of adapting to something (such as environmental conditions))

Domain category:

biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)

Derivation:

specialise (evolve so as to lead to a new species or develop in a way most suited to the environment)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of specializing; making something suitable for a special purpose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

specialisation; specialization

Hypernyms ("specialisation" is a kind of...):

change of state (the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics)

Derivation:

specialise (suit to a special purpose)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The special line of work you have adopted as your career

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

specialisation; specialism; speciality; specialization; specialty

Context example:

his specialization is gastroenterology

Hypernyms ("specialisation" is a kind of...):

calling; career; vocation (the particular occupation for which you are trained)

Derivation:

specialise (devote oneself to a special area of work)