# probation

/pɹoʊˈbeɪʃən/ (US) · /pɹəʊbˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/probation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. employment trial

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 2. legal supervision

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. academic trial

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

- After failing two classes, the student was put on academic probation for the next semester.
- The university policy dictates that any student on academic probation must meet with a counsellor weekly to discuss their progress and study habits.

### 4. the act of testing

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the act of testing something or providing proof.

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

- The ancient text was submitted for probation to ensure it was real.
- In the older sense of the word, the probation of the witness's character was essential to the validity of the entire legal proceeding.

## Examples

- She is currently on a three-month probation at her new job.
- The judge sentenced the first-time offender to two years of probation, requiring him to meet weekly with a supervisor.
- While the initial probation period was intended to assess technical competency, the manager also used the time to observe how well the candidate integrated into the existing team culture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.