on probation
idiom
1
: being tested and watched at a new job to see if one is able to do the job properly
As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months.
2
: being allowed to stay out of prison after committing a crime if one behaves well, does not commit another crime, etc.
She was arrested while on probation.
3
: being watched for a period of time during which one must behave well in order not to be seriously punished after having made a serious mistake or done something bad
He was on probation for cheating.
The student was put/placed on probation for copying test answers.
Examples of on probation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Following the plea deal, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Williams to five years in prison commuted to time served and 15 years on probation, followed by 20 years in prison.
—
Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
In another big coaching announcement, Malcolm Manuel has resigned after four years as football coach at Narbonne, which won the City Section Open Division championship but was also placed on probation and made ineligible for next season’s playoffs after seven ineligible players were discovered.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Quentin Cantrell was sentenced to six days of incarceration, a year on probation, $500 in restitution and $6,035 in fines the same month.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
She was also reportedly sentenced Monday on probation violations in two separate cases, giving her an additional 18 months in prison.
—Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024
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Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
In another big coaching announcement, Malcolm Manuel has resigned after four years as football coach at Narbonne, which won the City Section Open Division championship but was also placed on probation and made ineligible for next season’s playoffs after seven ineligible players were discovered.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
Quentin Cantrell was sentenced to six days of incarceration, a year on probation, $500 in restitution and $6,035 in fines the same month.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024
She was also reportedly sentenced Monday on probation violations in two separate cases, giving her an additional 18 months in prison.
—Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for on probation
Dictionary Entries Near on probation
Cite this Entry
“On probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20probation. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
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