Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Law) A court-ordered period of supervision instead of imprisonment: A legal arrangement where a person found guilty of an offense is released into the community under specific conditions and court supervision, rather than being sent to prison. It is a formal part of the sentencing process.
   • A trial period for assessment: A period during which a person's character, abilities, or conduct are observed and evaluated to determine their suitability for a job, membership in an organization, or reinstatement of privileges.

Examples of Usage

• Legal Context:
  • The judge sentenced him to two years of probation for the misdemeanor.
  • She violated the terms of her probation by leaving the state without permission.
• Employment/ Membership Context:
  • New employees are often hired on a six-month probation.
  • After the incident, the club placed the member on probation for one year.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on probation": To be in a state or period of probation.
  • He is currently on probation and must report to an officer monthly.
  • As a new hire, you will be on probation for the first 90 days.
• "To serve probation": To complete a period of probation.
  • He successfully served his three-year probation without any violations.

Variants and Related Words

• Probationary (adj): Relating to or serving a period of probation.
  • She has a probationary driver's license with restrictions.
  • The first year is a probationary period for all new faculty.
• Probationer (n): A person who is serving a period of probation.
  • The probation officer met with his probationers weekly.

Synonyms

• Trial period: A time for testing suitability.
• Supervised release: (Legal) Release under court-ordered conditions.

Related Phrases

• Probation officer: The official who supervises people on probation.
  • His probation officer helped him find a job.
• Academic probation: A status in an educational institution warning a student that their grades must improve.
  • He was placed on academic probation due to poor grades last semester.

Noun

1. (law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court
   • probation is part of the sentencing process
2. a trial period during which an offender has time to redeem himself or herself
3. a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership