paraprofessional

noun

para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌper-ə--prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
-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 Hope lives with her youngest son, Brad, a county sewer worker, and his wife, Penny, a paraprofessional at a middle school in Delton, and her two grandsons in a three-bedroom house on 2.5 acres. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 22 Sep. 2024 School psychologists, social workers and paraprofessionals also work with the broader student population. Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2024 Hope lives with her youngest son, Brad, a 38-year-old county sewer worker, his wife, Penny, a paraprofessional at a middle school in Delton, and her two grandsons in a three-bedroom house on 2.5 acres. Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024 No criminal charges are listed in online court records for the paraprofessional or any of the employees named in the suit. CBS News, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for paraprofessional 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraprofessional.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paraprofessional was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near paraprofessional

Cite this Entry

“Paraprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraprofessional. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

paraprofessional

noun
para·​pro·​fes·​sion·​al ˌpar-ə-prə-ˈfesh-nəl How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
-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 How to pronounce paraprofessional (audio)
: a trained aide who assists a professional person (as a doctor)
paraprofessional adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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