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
Stevenson, who was on probation and is not legally allowed to own a firearm, is accused of killing his victim after impaling him with an arrow, according to the RPD.
—
Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Those placed on probation for hazing during that time frame included Theta Chi, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Chi, Sigma Pi, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Beta Theta Pi.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Guinan argued that Wright has prior felony drug and weapons convictions and just recently ended a stint on probation.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025
The state party also placed the city party on probation for two years and ordered it to submit an improvement plan.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on probation
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Chris Spargo, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Those placed on probation for hazing during that time frame included Theta Chi, Zeta Beta Tau, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Chi, Sigma Pi, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Beta Theta Pi.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2025
Guinan argued that Wright has prior felony drug and weapons convictions and just recently ended a stint on probation.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2025
The state party also placed the city party on probation for two years and ordered it to submit an improvement plan.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on probation
Cite this Entry
“On probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20probation. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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