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

probational

prō-ˈbā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

probationally adverb

probationary

prō-ˈbā-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• delving
• disquisition
• examen
• examination
• exploration
• inquest
• inquiry
• inquisition
• investigation
• probe
• probing
• research
• study

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

Ethan Diaz, 22, of New Jersey reached the plea agreement in a Florida court in September and was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of supervised probation, according to court documents. —Reuters, NBC News, 24 Oct. 2024

During sentencing, Judge R. Lee Smith ordered him to spend five years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised probation, online records show. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

In that case, the offender, a former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, was sentenced to four years of probation. —Caitlyn Kim, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024

The assailants did not serve prison time and the judge's sentence of probation sparked Asian American communities, locally and nationally, to call for equality, justice and an end to racial discrimination. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English probacioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French probation, from Latin probation-, probatio, from probare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing probation

• on probation
• probation officer
• put/placed on probation

Kids 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

probational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

probationary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

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

called 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

probational

-shə-nəl 

adjective

probationally adverb

probationary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

Etymology

Middle French, critical examination and evaluation, from Latin probation-, probatio, from probare to test, approve, prove