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

Lopez is on probation in connection with the assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon, deputies said. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025

At the time of the incident, Nelson was on probation for arson and had an active warrant for arson out of Jackson County, according to the probable cause statement. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025

Allen was on probation at the time, and Paparella recommended that it be extended. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025

Trigg County Trigg County Sheriff Aaron Acree pleaded guilty to multiple misdemeanors in 2023 and is on probation. —Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for on probation

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