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

De Los Reyes was a paraprofessional for four years before becoming a teacher and later a principal. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

In response, Ashley Blair, 28, a paraprofessional at school in Otis, took to GoFundMe. — Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

On the campaign trail last year, Zohran Mamdani backed a city council bill to pay school paraprofessionals (non-teacher school aides) a $10,000 supplement for the 2026– 2027 school year. — Jennifer Weber, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026

The final hour agreement comes after a week of uncertainty around a potential strike by SEA members, including teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries and other staff members. — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 2 Sep. 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