ENGLISH
REFERENCE

probation

n.
US //pɹoʊˈbeɪʃən// UK //pɹəʊbˈeɪʃən// pro·ba·tion
  1. 1 employment trial (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a trial period at a new job to see if you are a good fit for the company.

    a fixed period of time during which a new employee's performance and suitability are monitored before their contract becomes permanent.

    Example

    The new manager is on probation for three months before her permanent contract starts.

    Example

    During his initial six-month probation, the junior developer received regular feedback sessions to ensure his technical skills aligned with the team's standards.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'on'.
    • trial period
    • test period
  2. 2 legal supervision (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    a system where a person who committed a crime stays out of prison but must follow certain rules and meet a supervisor.

    a legal arrangement allowing an offender to remain in the community under the supervision of a dedicated officer rather than serving a custodial sentence.

    Example

    He was sentenced to two years of probation and had to perform community service.

    Example

    The judge granted probation on the condition that the defendant attend mandatory counselling and maintain steady employment throughout the term.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the verbs 'grant', 'serve', or 'violate'.
    • supervised release
  3. 3 academic trial (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    a period when a student must improve their grades or they will be asked to leave the school.

    a status assigned to a student whose academic performance has fallen below a required standard, requiring improvement within a specified timeframe.

    Example

    After failing two classes, the student was put on academic probation for the next semester.

    Example

    The university policy dictates that any student on academic probation must meet with a counsellor weekly to discuss their progress and study habits.
    • academic warning
  4. 4 the act of testing (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    the act of testing something or providing proof.

    the process of testing or the state of being tested; the act of providing evidence or proof.

    Example

    The ancient text was submitted for probation to ensure it was real.

    Example

    In the older sense of the word, the probation of the witness's character was essential to the validity of the entire legal proceeding.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English probacioun, from Middle French probation, from Old French probacion, from Latin probatio (“a trying, inspection, examination”), from probare, past participle probatus (“to test, examine”); see probate, probe, prove.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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Last updated June 20, 2026