probation

[proh-bey-shuh n] /proʊˈbeɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of testing.
2.
the testing or trial of a person's conduct, character, qualifications, or the like.
3.
the state or period of such testing or trial.
4.
Law.
  1. a method of dealing with offenders, especially young persons guilty of minor crimes or first offenses, by allowing them to go at large under supervision of a probation officer.
  2. the state of having been conditionally released.
5.
Education. a trial period or condition of students in certain educational institutions who are being permitted to redeem failures, misconduct, etc.
6.
the testing or trial of a candidate for membership in a religious body or order, for holy orders, etc.
7.
Archaic. proof.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English probacion < Latin probātiōn- (stem of probātiō). See probate, -ion
Related forms
probational, probationary
[proh-bey-shuh-ner-ee] /proʊˈbeɪ ʃəˌnɛr i/ (Show IPA), adjective
probationship, noun
nonprobation, noun
unprobational, adjective
unprobationary, adjective
Examples from the web for probation
  • The real probation period for these adjustments will be after the cancellation of financing from well-known superpower.
  • All were found guilty and sentenced to probation and community service.
  • Two years later it gave the probation board more money to improve supervision and treatment programmes.
  • It is a gamble, and meanwhile ordinary probation services look likely to be squeezed.
  • He pleaded no contest, paid a fine and did six months' probation.
  • probation officers or rehab clinic staff can peel them off, freeze them, and ship them on dry ice to a drug-testing laboratory.
  • probation need not be limited to the length of the original sentence.
  • No one has been placed on probation or fired based on the computer's evaluation, either.
  • Lawless areas are flooded with police, social workers and probation officers.
  • Had he been charged with misdemeanors, he would likely have faced probation or house arrest.
British Dictionary definitions for probation

probation

/prəˈbeɪʃən/
noun
1.
a system of dealing with offenders by placing them under the supervision of a probation officer
2.
on probation
  1. under the supervision of a probation officer
  2. undergoing a test period
3.
a trial period, as for a teacher, religious novitiate, etc
4.
the act of proving or testing
5.
a period during which a new employee may have his employment terminated on the grounds of unsuitability
Derived Forms
probational, probationary, adjective
probationally, adverb
Word Origin and History for probation
n.

early 15c., "trial, experiment, test," from Old French probacion "proof, evidence" (14c., Modern French probation) and directly from Latin probationem (nominative probatio) "approval, assent; a proving, trial, inspection, examination," noun of action from past participle stem of probare "to test" (see prove). Meaning "testing of a person's conduct" (especially as a trial period for membership) is from early 15c.; theological sense first recorded 1520s; criminal justice sense is recorded by 1866. As a verb from 1640s. Related: Probationer; probationary.