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 legislation, supported by Speaker Julie Menin, aims to give $10,000 bonuses to school paraprofessionals. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

The Council and the United Federation of Teachers, the local union that represents the public school paraprofessionals and pushed for the law, pledged to defend the pay boost against Mamdani’s lawsuit. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

Future efforts to solve the district’s financial issues include things like bringing paraprofessionals back in-house and securing grants, according to Engel’s presentation. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Investigators said Monroe had worked as a paraprofessional since approximately 2014 and was terminated following this incident. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

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