definitions

para

1
[ pah-rah, pahr-ah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ, ˈpɑr ɑ /
|

noun, plural pa·ras, pa·ra.

a former copper coin of Turkey, the 40th part of a piaster.

RELATED CONTENT

APAPRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

par value, par-, par-three, par., par. aff., para, para-, para-aminobenzoic acid, para-aminohippuric acid, para-aminosalicylic acid, para-aortic body

Origin of para

1
1680–90; < Turkish < Persian pāra literally, piece

Definition for para (2 of 10)

para

2
[ pah-rah, pahr-ah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ, ˈpɑr ɑ /

noun, plural pa·ras, pa·ra.

  1. formerly, an aluminum-bronze coin and monetary unit of Yugoslavia, the 100th part of a dinar.
  2. a coin and monetary unit of Macedonia and Serbia, the 100th part of a dinar.

Origin of para

2
1905–10; < Serbo-Croatian pàra < Turkish; see para1

Definition for para (3 of 10)

para

3
[ par-uh ]
/ ˈpær ə /

adjective Chemistry.

pertaining to or occupying two positions (1, 4) in the benzene ring that are separated by two carbon atoms.Compare ortho, meta2.

noun

para-dichlorobenzene.

Origin of para

3
First recorded in 1875–80; independent use of para-1

Definition for para (4 of 10)

para

4
[ par-uh ]
/ ˈpær ə /

noun Informal.

a paraprofessional.
a paratrooper.

Origin of para

4
First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening of words compounded with para-1, para-3

Definition for para (5 of 10)

para

5
[ par-uh ]
/ ˈpær ə /

noun, plural par·as, par·ae [par-ee] /ˈpær i/. Obstetrics.

Also called parity. a woman's status regarding the bearing of viable offspring: usually followed by a Roman numeral designating the number of times the woman has given birth.
the woman herself.
Compare gravida.

Origin of para

5
1880–85; extracted from primapara, multipara, etc.

Definition for para (6 of 10)

Pará

[ pah-rah ]
/ pɑˈrɑ /

noun

an estuary in N Brazil: an arm of the Amazon. 200 miles (320 km) long; 40 miles (65 km) wide.
Belém.
Pará rubber.

Definition for para (7 of 10)

para-

1

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, most often attached to verbs and verbal derivatives, with the meanings “at or to one side of, beside, side by side” (parabola; paragraph; parallel; paralysis), “beyond, past, by” (paradox; paragogue); by extension from these senses, this prefix came to designate objects or activities auxiliary to or derivative of that denoted by the base word (parody; paronomasia), and hence abnormal or defective (paranoia), a sense now common in modern scientific coinages (parageusia; paralexia). As an English prefix, para-1 may have any of these senses; it is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary or subsidiary to roles requiring more training, or of a higher status, on such models as paramedical and paraprofessional: paralegal; paralibrarian; parapolice.
Chemistry. a combining form designating the para (1, 4) position in the benzene ring. Abbreviation: p-.Compare meta-(def 4b), ortho-(def 2b).
Also especially before a vowel, par-.

Origin of para-

1
< Greek para-, combining form representing pará (preposition) beside, alongside of, by, beyond

Definition for para (8 of 10)

para-

2

a combining form meaning “guard against,” occurring in loanwords from French, or, via French, from Italian: parachute; parasol.

Origin of para-

2
< French < Italian para, 3rd singular present of parare to prepare against, ward off < Latin parāre to prepare

Definition for para (9 of 10)

para-

3

a combining form extracted from parachute, forming compounds denoting persons or things utilizing parachutes or landed by parachute: paradrop; paradoctor; paraglider; paratrooper.

Definition for para (10 of 10)

Para.

Paraguay.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for para

British Dictionary definitions for para (1 of 6)

para

1
/ (ˈpɑːrə) /

noun plural -ras or -ra

a monetary unit of Serbia worth one hundredth of a dinar; formerly a monetary unit of Yugoslavia

Word Origin for para

C17: Serbo-Croat, via Turkish from Persian pārah piece, portion

British Dictionary definitions for para (2 of 6)

para

2
/ (ˈpærə) /

noun informal

  1. a soldier in an airborne unit
  2. an airborne unit
a paragraph

British Dictionary definitions for para (3 of 6)

para

3
/ (ˈpɑːrɑː) /

noun plural para

a New Zealand fern, Marattia salicina, with long heavy frondsAlso called: horseshoe fern, king fern

Word Origin for para

Māori

British Dictionary definitions for para (4 of 6)

Pará

/ (Portuguese paˈra) /

noun

a state of N Brazil, on the Atlantic: mostly dense tropical rainforest Capital: Belém. Pop: 6 453 683 (2002). Area: 1 248 042 sq km (474 896 sq miles)
another name for Belém
an estuary in N Brazil into which flow the Tocantins River and a branch of the Amazon. Length: about 320 km (200 miles)

British Dictionary definitions for para (5 of 6)

para-

1

before a vowel par-

prefix

Word Origin for para-

from Greek para (prep) alongside, beyond

British Dictionary definitions for para (6 of 6)

para-

2

combining form

indicating an object that acts as a protection against somethingparachute; parasol

Word Origin for para-

via French from Italian para-, from parare to defend, shield against, ultimately from Latin parāre to prepare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for para (1 of 2)

para

[ păr′ə ]

n.

A woman who has given birth to an infant or infants.

Medicine definitions for para (2 of 2)

para-

pref.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.