Probation is a period of time during which a person who has committed a crime has to obey the law and be supervised by a probation officer, rather than being sent to prison.
The thief was put on probation for two years.
2. uncountable noun
Probation is a period of time during which someone is judging your character and ability while you work, in order to see if you are suitable for that type of work.
Employee appointment will be subject to a term of probation of 6 months. [+ of]
After a further four-month extension of her probation period, she was sacked.
Synonyms: trial period, test, trial, examination More Synonyms of probation
probation in British English
(prəˈbeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a system of dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer
2. on probation
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 or her employment terminated on the grounds of unsuitability
Derived forms
probational (proˈbational) or probationary (proˈbationary)
adjective
probationally (proˈbationally)
adverb
probation in American English
(proʊˈbeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a testing or trial, as of a person's character, ability to meet requirements, etc.
2.
the suspension of sentence of a person convicted but not yet imprisoned, on condition of continued good behavior and regular reporting to a probation officer
3.
a.
the status of a person being tested or on trial
a student on probation because of low grades
b.
the period of testing or trial
4. Obsolete
proof
Derived forms
probationary (proˈbationˌary)
adjective or proˈbational
Word origin
ME probacion < OFr < L probatio < probare, to prove: see probe
Examples of 'probation' in a sentence
probation
An inquiry found he had missed appointments with his probation officer and police.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The report also recommends improvements to information sharing between prison and probation services and police.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Will he survive his probation period or crack under the pressure?
The Sun (2007)
Subsequently he became a probation officer like his father.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There are already calls for more probation staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This accords with the idea of a period of probation.
Rodney Bolt HISTORY PLAY: The Lives and After-life of Christopher Marlowe (2004)
Probation officers were supposed to have been keeping a close watch on him.
The Sun (2010)
She was hauled into court after probation staff said she had failed to provide a reasonable excuse.
The Sun (2014)
They want the probation period to be longer.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Nor probation officers working almost half their time on computers instead of being with offenders.
The Sun (2010)
Probation staff do not have to wear uniform.
The Sun (2011)
He was wanted since 2012 after skipping probation appointments as part of his suspended sentence.
The Sun (2014)
These will normally include probation, prison and parole.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
The report looked at the links between police, prisons and probation and the system of assessments of prisoners.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Up to 48 per cent of prisoners in some jails were there for infringements such as not attending a probation appointment.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Probation officers work extremely hard.
The Sun (2015)
I worked with the probation service closely to see how these accused guys act and how it would play out.
The Sun (2014)
He said his friend had wanted to become a chef but was let down by police, social services and the probation system.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The probation service works in a complex environment in which political, criminal and societal pressures combine to make its task onerous and hazardous.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
West London, were all on probation at the time of the killing.
The Sun (2006)
He added: 'We need a competent probation system that actually changes behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He had failed to keep appointments with his probation officer, but the alarm wasn't raised.
The Sun (2011)
She had spent time on probation and been imprisoned for 20 weeks, as well as being fined thousands of pounds.
The Sun (2011)
The probation system, which is responsible for supervising offenders who have been allowed out of prison on licence, has been beset by errors.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
probation
British English: probation NOUN
Probation is a period of time during which a person who has committed a crime has to obey the law and be supervised by a probation officer, rather than being sent to prison.
The thief was put on probation for two years.
American English: probation
Brazilian Portuguese: período probatório
Chinese: 缓刑期
European Spanish: libertad condicional
French: liberté surveillée
German: Bewährung
Italian: libertà vigilata
Japanese: 保護観察
Korean: 집행 유예
European Portuguese: período probatório
Latin American Spanish: libertad condicional
All related terms of 'probation'
on probation
under the supervision of a probation officer
probation order
an order imposed by a magistrate or judge under which an offender is sentenced to probation rather than imprisonment
shock probation
the release on probation of a criminal after brief imprisonment
probation officer
A probation officer is a person whose job is to supervise and help people who have committed crimes and been put on probation.
probation service
→ the probation service
the probation service
a criminal justice service that is mainly responsible for dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer
Chinese translation of 'probation'
probation
(prəˈbeɪʃən)
n(u)
(for criminal) 缓(緩)刑 (huǎnxíng)
(for employee) 试(試)用期 (shìyòngqī)
to be on probation[criminal]在缓(緩)刑中 (zài huǎnxíng zhōng) [employee]在试(試)用期中 (zài shìyòngqī zhōng)
to put sb on probation[criminal]判某人缓(緩)刑 (pàn mǒurén huǎnxíng)
(noun)
The appointment will be subject to a six-month term of probation.
Synonyms
trial period
test
High levels of dioxin were confirmed by scientific tests.
trial
They have been treated with medication in clinical trials.
examination
They have taken the documents away for examination.
apprenticeship
He served an apprenticeship as a tool-maker.
initiation
novitiate
These monks left the monastery without completing their novitiate.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of apprenticeship
He served an apprenticeship as a tool-maker.
Synonyms
traineeship,
probation,
studentship,
novitiate or noviciate
in the sense of examination
Definition
the act of examining
They have taken the documents away for examination.
Synonyms
inspection,
testing,
study,
research,
trial,
checking,
review,
survey,
investigation,
analysis,
consideration,
observation,
going-over (informal),
vetting,
scrutiny,
appraisal,
interrogation,
assay,
perusal,
recce (slang)
in the sense of novitiate
Definition
the period of being a novice
These monks left the monastery without completing their novitiate.
Synonyms
apprenticeship,
training,
probation
Nearby words of
probation
probability
probable
probably
probation
probationer
probe
probity
Synonyms of 'probation'
probation
Explore 'probation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of test
Definition
a chemical reaction or physical procedure for testing the composition or other qualities of a substance
High levels of dioxin were confirmed by scientific tests.
Synonyms
trial,
research,
check,
investigation,
attempt,
analysis,
assessment,
proof,
examination,
evaluation,
acid test
in the sense of trial
Definition
the act or an instance of trying or proving
They have been treated with medication in clinical trials.