paralegal
adjective
para·le·gal
ˌper-ə-ˈlē-gəl 
ˌpa-rə-
: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer
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Much of the work in a law office can be done by paralegal assistants, also called legal aides or simply paralegals, who work alongside licensed lawyers. Often a paralegal is trained in a narrow field and then entrusted with it. In this respect, paralegals are similar to paraprofessionals in other fields, such as engineering. Paraprofessionals used to be trained in the office itself, but today it's common to study for a paraprofessional certificate or degree at a community college or university.
Examples of paralegal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But when Bruiser skips town, Rudy is left alone with paralegal Deck (Danny DeVito) to represent a family whose son died after his insurance company denied coverage for a bone-marrow transplant.
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Linda Holmes, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
For those in scientific research, paralegal work, accounting, analytics, graphic design and any entry-level desk job, the day when AI does your job might be just two to three years away.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
The most recent contract, from 2021, showed the firm billed a rate of $375 per hour and a paralegal rate of $125 per hour.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
The school offers both four-year and two-year degrees, including practical associate degrees in business administration and paralegal studies.
—Fiona Riley, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralegal
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Linda Holmes, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
For those in scientific research, paralegal work, accounting, analytics, graphic design and any entry-level desk job, the day when AI does your job might be just two to three years away.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
The most recent contract, from 2021, showed the firm billed a rate of $375 per hour and a paralegal rate of $125 per hour.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
The school offers both four-year and two-year degrees, including practical associate degrees in business administration and paralegal studies.
—Fiona Riley, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for paralegal
Cite this Entry
“Paralegal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralegal. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
paralegal
adjective
para·le·gal
ˌpar-ə-ˈlē-gəl
: of, relating to, or being a paraprofessional who assists a lawyer compare clerk sense 2b
paralegal
noun
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