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
Children, alas, are weak and wasteful by nature, to say nothing of a child who needs a wheelchair, a hearing aid, or a paraprofessional.
—
Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025
There are close to 1,600 vacancies for paraprofessionals, a member survey found — which the union blamed on low wages, resulting in challenges with hiring and retention.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
If the referendum had failed, MPS leaders were prepared to make deeper cuts, including about 300 teachers and 100 paraprofessionals.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
The paraprofessional was assigned to a classroom for students with behavioral challenges.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for paraprofessional 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2025
There are close to 1,600 vacancies for paraprofessionals, a member survey found — which the union blamed on low wages, resulting in challenges with hiring and retention.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
If the referendum had failed, MPS leaders were prepared to make deeper cuts, including about 300 teachers and 100 paraprofessionals.
—Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
The paraprofessional was assigned to a classroom for students with behavioral challenges.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for paraprofessional
Dictionary Entries Near paraprofessional
Cite this Entry
“Paraprofessional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraprofessional. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share