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

Proper classroom staffing: Will classrooms be adequately staffed with paraprofessionals and support personnel? —Melanie L. Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025

There’s no question the new leader of East Aurora District 131 has roots that run deep, going back a couple generations to when his grandmother was a student at Bardwell and later became president of the Krug PTO and a paraprofessional throughout the district’s elementary schools. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

Ewer, who had worked for Jefferson County Public Schools from 2015 to 2023 as a school nurse, a paraprofessional and a teaching assistant, was arrested in January 2024. —Kc Baker, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Tracy Smith was hired as a secondary paraprofessional. —Amy Wilde, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 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