on probation

phrase

1

: being tested and watched at a new job to see if one is able to do the job properly

As a new employee, I will be on probation for three months.

2

: being allowed to stay out of prison after committing a crime if one behaves well, does not commit another crime, etc.

She was arrested while on probation.

3

: being watched for a period of time during which one must behave well in order not to be seriously punished after having made a serious mistake or done something bad

He was on probation for cheating.

The student was put/placed on probation for copying test answers.

Examples of on probation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was placed on probation, ordered to submit to random drug tests and was referred to a drug treatment program, according to court records. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

He was sentenced to six months in jail and was released earlier this year to serve the rest of his sentence on probation. — Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

In 2023, he was released for a short time on probation before being reincarcerated. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

But in October 2025, Mast received an early judicial release from state prison and was placed on probation. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for on probation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation