probation

American  

[proh-bey-shuhn] / proʊˈbeɪ ʃən /

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.

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probation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of probation

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

Explanation

A probation is a period of time when a criminal needs to be on their best behavior: they're not in jail (yet or anymore) but they have to do certain things demanded by the court. Being put on criminal probation is like getting a second chance before more serious penalties apply: you might have to pay a fine, do community service, or be monitored to make sure you don’t get into any more trouble. Some criminals are released from jail early and put on probation. People also talk about probation for non-criminal issues: there could be a probation period for joining a club, when they check you out before deciding to let you in.

Example Sentences

Mr. Bolton will instead ask the court for probation, which is far more suitable for the single offense, but a judge will decide.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

CIA director David Petraeus, who shared defense information with his biographer, received two years probation and a $100,000 fine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

After his recent probation violation, the district attorney’s office spokesperson said, Rice was ordered to serve that jail time immediately.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

He said he thinks the documentary will "give people a bit more of an understanding actually what they do in the probation service, and what their aim is really".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Even Charlie’s academic probation from Harvard feels like it’s part of the plan to get us to this point.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

• trial