probation

American  

[proh-bey-shuhn] / proʊˈbeɪ ʃən /

noun

probations plural

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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• probations
  plural

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

Vicky Waters, communications director for the Probation Department, said she could not comment on pending litigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

The defendant, of Clapham, south London, worked for the Probation Service between 2014 and 2019 and won the Probation Service's diversity and engagement award in 2015.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

County Probation Department, said the agency has stopped all transfers to the facility.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

It is the first time television cameras have been given this sort of access and the result is BBC NI programme Carl Frampton: On Probation.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Yesterday I wandered around Probation Camp in a very patronizing manner and finally stopped to shed a tear on the humble grave of Eli.

From Biltmore Oswald The Diary of a Hapless Recruit by Dorgan, Dick

Related Words

• trial