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

This includes a decrease in paraprofessionals at the district's Montessori schools and cuts to social workers. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 June 2025

When the seniors arrived at Whittier, they were greeted outside the door by Amber Sanchez, a paraprofessional. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

The parents’ son, who has a severe form of autism, was a part of Cynthia Mann Elementary School’s Early Childhood Special Education Program in 2023, when Snow worked there as a paraprofessional for special-education kids, according to the claim. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025

In East Aurora, overall vacancies — inclusive of vacancies for teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, etc. — went up slightly in recent years, from 67 in 2023 to 71 in 2025, according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 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