probation

[proh-bey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of testing.

2. the testing or trial of a person's conduct, character, qualifications, or the like.

3. the state or period of such testing or trial.

4. Law.

   1. a method of dealing with offenders, especially young persons guilty of minor crimes or first offenses, by allowing them to go at large under supervision of a probation officer.

   2. the state of having been conditionally released.

5. Education.,  a trial period or condition of students in certain educational institutions who are being permitted to redeem failures, misconduct, etc.

6. the testing or trial of a candidate for membership in a religious body or order, for holy orders, etc.

7. Archaic.,  proof.

probation

/ prəˈbeɪʃən /

noun

1. a system of dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer

2. 1. under the supervision of a probation officer

   2. undergoing a test period

3. a trial period, as for a teacher, religious novitiate, etc

4. the act of proving or testing

5. a period during which a new employee may have his employment terminated on the grounds of unsuitability

Other Word Forms

• probational adjective
• probationary adjective
• probationship noun
• nonprobation noun
• probationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of probation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English probacion, from Latin probātiōn- (stem of probātiō ); probate, -ion

Example Sentences

Young Boys have regularly been in trouble with Uefa, and only last week the threat of a ban on travelling fans was lifted after a two-year probation expired.

Read more on BBC

In a surprise announcement on Thursday, the government confirmed it will now bring in unfair dismissal protection after six months, and ditch the new legal probation period.

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Labour had planned to abolish this qualifying period completely, alongside a new legal probation period to be determined after a consultation.

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Several probation officers have privately conveyed concern over whether they'll be able to provide the support women with complex needs will require in the community - with their workload already said to be at maximum levels.

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Pope, Davis and Moses were sentenced to jail time and probation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• trial