probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən 
1
: critical examination and evaluation or subjection to such examination and evaluation
2
a
: subjection of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain fitness (as for a job or school)
b
: the action of suspending the sentence of a convicted offender and giving the offender freedom during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer
c
: the state or a period of being subject to probation
probationally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of probation in a Sentence
As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months.
He hoped that the judge would grant him probation.
He was sentenced to one year's probation.
He was sent back to prison for violating his probation.
She was arrested while on probation.
Instead of firing her, they put her on probation.
The student was placed on probation for copying test answers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced him to 25 years with nine years to be served, nine years of probation, and five years suspended.
—
Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Young Thug is not allowed in metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, save for a few exceptions.
—Kristal Dixon, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
In June 2022, he was sentenced to three years of probation, 450 hours of community service and a year of weekly domestic violence classes after pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 3 Nov. 2024
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and seven years of probation.
—Melissa Ruggieri, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for probation 
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Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Young Thug is not allowed in metro Atlanta for the first 10 years of his probation, save for a few exceptions.
—Kristal Dixon, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
In June 2022, he was sentenced to three years of probation, 450 hours of community service and a year of weekly domestic violence classes after pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 3 Nov. 2024
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and seven years of probation.
—Melissa Ruggieri, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for probation
Dictionary Entries Near probation
Cite this Entry
“Probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probation. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən
1
: a period of trial for finding out or testing a person's fitness (as for a job or school)
2
: the suspending of a convicted offender's sentence during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer
Legal Definition
probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən
1
a
: subjection to a period of evaluation and possible termination at the commencement of employment in a position for which one's fitness is to be determined
b
: subjection to a period of review in the course of employment or education as a result of a violation of standards and with the possibility of dismissal if standards are not met
2
a
: the suspension of all or part of a sentence and its replacement by freedom subject to specific conditions and the supervision of a probation officer
it is the intent of the legislature that the granting of probation shall be a matter of grace conferring no vested right to its continuance—Michigan Statutes Annotated
Michigan Statutes Annotatedcalled also community supervision
compare diversion, parole
b
: probation as a sentence in itself
c
: the period or state of being subject to probation
arrested while on probation
Etymology
Middle French, critical examination and evaluation, from Latin probation-, probatio, from probare to test, approve, prove
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