probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən 
1
: critical examination and evaluation or subjection to such examination and evaluation
2
a
: subjection of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain fitness (as for a job or school)
b
: the action of suspending the sentence of a convicted offender and giving the offender freedom during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer
c
: the state or a period of being subject to probation
probationally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of probation in a Sentence
As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months.
He hoped that the judge would grant him probation.
He was sentenced to one year's probation.
He was sent back to prison for violating his probation.
She was arrested while on probation.
Instead of firing her, they put her on probation.
The student was placed on probation for copying test answers.
Recent Examples on the Web
In late February, U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez revoked Black’s probation but then sentenced him to time served at the detention center, paving the way for his immediate release.
—
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Prior to the delivery of her sentence, Gutierrez-Reed, 26, asked to be issued probation rather than serve time in prison.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
New York limits the length of jail time for this type of felony to 20 years, and the judge could also consider probation as an alternative to jail time.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
Although the prosecution pushed for this outcome — the maximum sentence — Gutierrez-Reed and her defense team had asked the judge to consider probation as an alternative.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
The Thanh Nien newspaper said 84 defendants in the case received sentences ranging from probation for three years to life imprisonment.
—Reuters, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Halls pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and was handed a six-month unsupervised probation order.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
The following month, he was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
In the Nix case, a primary defendant was sentenced to six months’ probation and ordered to forfeit $3 million.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024
Prior to the delivery of her sentence, Gutierrez-Reed, 26, asked to be issued probation rather than serve time in prison.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Apr. 2024
New York limits the length of jail time for this type of felony to 20 years, and the judge could also consider probation as an alternative to jail time.
—Brian Bennett, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
Although the prosecution pushed for this outcome — the maximum sentence — Gutierrez-Reed and her defense team had asked the judge to consider probation as an alternative.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
The Thanh Nien newspaper said 84 defendants in the case received sentences ranging from probation for three years to life imprisonment.
—Reuters, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Halls pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon and was handed a six-month unsupervised probation order.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
The following month, he was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
In the Nix case, a primary defendant was sentenced to six months’ probation and ordered to forfeit $3 million.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'probation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near probation
Cite this Entry
“Probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən
1
: a period of trial for finding out or testing a person's fitness (as for a job or school)
2
: the suspending of a convicted offender's sentence during good behavior under the supervision of a probation officer
Legal Definition
probation
noun
pro·ba·tion
prō-ˈbā-shən
1
a
: subjection to a period of evaluation and possible termination at the commencement of employment in a position for which one's fitness is to be determined
b
: subjection to a period of review in the course of employment or education as a result of a violation of standards and with the possibility of dismissal if standards are not met
2
a
: the suspension of all or part of a sentence and its replacement by freedom subject to specific conditions and the supervision of a probation officer
it is the intent of the legislature that the granting of probation shall be a matter of grace conferring no vested right to its continuance—Michigan Statutes Annotated
Michigan Statutes Annotatedcalled also community supervision
compare diversion, parole
b
: probation as a sentence in itself
c
: the period or state of being subject to probation
arrested while on probation
Etymology
Middle French, critical examination and evaluation, from Latin probation- probatio, from probare to test, approve, prove
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