paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌper-ə--prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ˈfe-shə-nᵊl,

ˌpa-rə-

: a trained aide who assists a professional person (such as a teacher or doctor)

paraprofessional adjective

Examples of paraprofessional in a Sentence

There is at least one paraprofessional in each classroom.

Recent Examples on the Web

The funding under that law helps schools hire paraprofessionals, social workers, counselors and additional special education teachers. —Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025

The employees included two teachers and three paraprofessionals, KXII reported citing Choctaw County Sheriff Terry Park. —Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and be employed by a K-12 school district or charter school, although paraprofessionals with three years of experience are prioritized, according to a memo from the state department. —Lena Miano, Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2025

The contract also adds personal days for paraprofessionals, a $1,000 tuition reimbursement available to all teachers after a year, and formal positions for parents on Inclusion Planning Teams. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paraprofessional

• interprofessional
• semiprofessional
• compressional
• concessional
• confessional
• congressional
• obsessional
• processional
• professional
• recessional
• successional
• nonprofessional

Kids Definition

paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌpar-ə-prə-ˈfesh-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

: a person trained to assist a professional person (as a teacher or doctor)

paraprofessional adjective

Medical Definition

paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al -prə-ˈfesh-nəl, -ən-ᵊl 

: a trained aide who assists a professional person (as a doctor)

paraprofessional adjective