probation

[ proh-bey-shuh n ]

/ proʊˈbeɪ ʃən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR probation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of testing.

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

the state or period of such testing or trial.

Law.

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.
the state of having been conditionally released.

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

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

Archaic. proof.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of probation

1375–1425; late Middle English probacion < Latin probātiōn- (stem of probātiō). See probate, -ion

Related forms

pro·ba·tion·al, pro·ba·tion·ar·y

[proh-bey-shuh-ner-ee] /proʊˈbeɪ ʃəˌnɛr i/, adjectivepro·ba·tion·ship, nounnon·pro·ba·tion, nounun·pro·ba·tion·al, adjective

un·pro·ba·tion·ar·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for probationary

The probationary status would be good for six years and could then be renewed after payment of another $500 penalty.
What You Need to Know About the Gang of Eight's Immigration Reform Deal|Justin Green|April 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And give “probationary legal status” to the 11 million — not on the day the bill is signed but on the day the fence is completed.
Just 'Building the Damn Fence' Won't Fix Everything|Justin Green|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
At the close of the fourth probationary year, the plates and accessories were given into the custody of the latter-day seer.
The Vitality of Mormonism--Brief Essays|James E. Talmage
Capt. Cheyne had recommended the opening of accounts and payment for probationary labor.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2)|John West

Such men should not be trusted until they had passed through a probationary state.
Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama|Walter L. Fleming
With adults this was regarded as a probationary agreement to marry.
The Captain of the Janizaries|James M. Ludlow
The first or probationary degree of the Order is intended for the masses.
The Nation's Peril|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for probationary

probation

/ (prəˈbeɪʃən) /

noun

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

on probation

under the supervision of a probation officer
undergoing a test period

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

the act of proving or testing

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

Derived Formsprobational or probationary, adjectiveprobationally, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for probationary

probation

early 15c., "trial, experiment, test," from Old French probacion "proof, evidence" (14c., Modern French probation) and directly from Latin probationem (nominative probatio) "approval, assent; a proving, trial, inspection, examination," noun of action from past participle stem of probare "to test" (see prove). Meaning "testing of a person's conduct" (especially as a trial period for membership) is from early 15c.; theological sense first recorded 1520s; criminal justice sense is recorded by 1866. As a verb from 1640s. Related: Probationer; probationary.