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

Under the terms of the agreement on the intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle plea, Lopez was ordered in the 213th District Court in Tarrant County to serve 10 years on probation. —Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025

The suspect, identified as a 33-year-old man on probation, remained inside the residence and placed multiple calls to the police department’s communication center, police said. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025

At the time of the arrest, court records show Irvin was on probation for convictions of lewd conduct and being a felon in possession of a firearm. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

In addition to the jail sentence, he was placed on probation for 30 months. —Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

Rhymes for on probation

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