on probation

idiom

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In January, Miller was placed on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful trespass in connection to a break-in at a south Vermont home last spring. —

Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2023 Pottenger also was placed on probation for an additional 24 months after his suspension. —

Christine Brennan, USA TODAY, 31 May 2023 Beringer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor gun charges and was jailed briefly then put on probation. —

Megan O’matz, ProPublica, 25 May 2023 She was credited with time served and has been placed on probation. —

Joaquin Palomino, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 May 2023 He was convicted of various drug and alcohol-related offenses, including seven DUI’s, spending 23 continuous years on probation. —

Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2023 In Boston, a voluntary treatment program aims to help individuals with a major mental illness, who have a pending criminal case or are on probation. —

Steve Leblanc, ajc, 6 Apr. 2023 Under a plea deal, he was placed on probation for a year and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, as well as being given cognitive behavior counseling. —

Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2023 Sizemore served seven months in prison, and another four months in a drug rehabilitation center after repeatedly failing drug tests while on probation. —

Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on probation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.