on probation

idiom

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

Davis was convicted of touching a woman intimately against her will in June and was placed on probation for a year, court records show. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Rodriguez is on probation for prior felony convictions, according to the Maricopa County Superior Court website. —Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Due to the violation, CIF San Diego placed all levels of the Torrey Pines lacrosse program on probation for two school years, delayed the start of the 2026 season’s practices and shortened the upcoming season by two games. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

Ussery is homeless and was on probation at the time of the attack, officials said. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for on probation

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