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

Before prosecutors dropped the charges, Sanon had accepted a plea deal that would have placed her on probation for six years. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

During the same month, while on probation, Rusi was convicted of misdemeanors for falsifying a drug test and displaying a fake handicap placard, KPRC 2 reported. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025

The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Edward Wondeh of Vacaville, who is on probation. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

She was placed on probation and ordered to pay a fine for the misdemeanor offense. —Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for on probation

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