noun
probation
proh-BAY-shun/prəʊˈbeɪʃn/
A period of supervised trial during which conduct or suitability is assessed.
While on probation, he meets regularly with his probation officer.
Etymology
An act of testing became a period for testing someone’s conduct. The criminal-justice sense applies that idea to supervised freedom, during which good behavior is a condition of remaining out of prison.
In context
Probation is not freedom. It's conditional release.
More examples
- The judge sentences her to two years of probation.
- New employees spend their first three months on probation.
- Students on academic probation must improve their grades to remain enrolled.
Forms
probation · probations
probationary adjective — Relating to a supervised trial period.
probationer noun — A person serving a period of probation.