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

His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities. —Joseph Hernandez march 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026

Surprisingly, she was employed as a paraprofessional since October 2023 by the Special Education District of Lake County at Fairhaven School in Mundelein, which has students ranging from kindergarten to high school enrolled in language and social skills education. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026

The third option allows substitutes to obtain a certification to become paraprofessionals, school staff who help teachers manage classrooms. —Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Mar. 2026

The district faces a current fiscal year deficit of $22 million due in part to a decrease in the staff vacancy rate from 13% to 3% as the district hired on 60 additional paraprofessionals and staff members as student individual education plan requirements grow. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 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