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
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
Coleman will serve 25 years, with five years suspended to probation per the terms of her plea agreement.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024
Dederich was sentenced to five years probation in the case.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Three years later, his eight-year sentence was reduced to probation.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
In addition to the 11-month prison sentence, Judge William Alsup ordered Carrier to three years of probation as well as requiring him to seek mental and substance abuse treatment upon his release during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors said.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Alan Weir, 50, pleaded no contest Wednesday to willful neglect of duty, a one-year misdemeanor, and was sentenced to one year of probation, with a review set for March 20, 2025, according to online records in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024
The attorney enters a guilty plea to a conflict-of-interest charge, and Hughes immediately receives a $400 fine and one year of summary probation.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
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
Coleman will serve 25 years, with five years suspended to probation per the terms of her plea agreement.
—Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024
Dederich was sentenced to five years probation in the case.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Three years later, his eight-year sentence was reduced to probation.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024
In addition to the 11-month prison sentence, Judge William Alsup ordered Carrier to three years of probation as well as requiring him to seek mental and substance abuse treatment upon his release during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors said.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Alan Weir, 50, pleaded no contest Wednesday to willful neglect of duty, a one-year misdemeanor, and was sentenced to one year of probation, with a review set for March 20, 2025, according to online records in 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore.
—Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024
The attorney enters a guilty plea to a conflict-of-interest charge, and Hughes immediately receives a $400 fine and one year of summary probation.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 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 19 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share