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

The program, which will run from June through August, was created to demonstrate the community’s gratitude for all public and private school personnel, from teachers to paraprofessionals to custodians to bus drivers to administrators, by offering discounts and promotions during the summer break. —Alison Cross, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2024

Eugene has no criminal history and has been employed as a paraprofessional at Public School 17 in Williamsburg for the past 10 years, police said. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2024

Dixon, who is also a paraprofessional at Gateway, wants to see opportunities for his Special Olympics/Paralympics athletes increase in coming years. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 16 May 2024

Miles, a paraprofessional at East Middle School in Westminster, said she’s always voted in person on the day of the election. —Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

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