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

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

Etymology

Origin of probation

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

Example Sentences

In the first year after probation, only about 11–12% of primary teachers had a permanent job.

From BBC

Alameda County officials introduced a proposal for these designated zones in November; on Thursday, officials will incorporate feedback from the county’s sheriff, district attorney, probation department, and public defender, the Oaklandside reported.

From Los Angeles Times

These zones are created with input from probation officers and victims, aiming to protect survivors by shifting the burden of restriction from victims to offenders.

From BBC

Atlanta rapper Young Thug told fans on Wednesday that he’s ‘all about peace and love’ about an hour before prosecutors filed a motion to revoke his probation.

From Los Angeles Times

Documents suggest Epstein took a Virgin Atlantic flight from the US to London Heathrow in September 2010, just two months after he completed his probation on house arrest.

From BBC

Related Words

• trial