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
These suspects could not be released from custody on probation unless they were being transferred to the custody of federal immigration authorities.
—
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025
While on probation for the Rihanna incident, Brown was arrested in Washington, D.C. for his involvement in a hotel altercation.
—EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Taylor was sentenced to six months of home detention after pleading guilty, and placed on probation set to end in 2027.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Wilson was sentenced to six years in prison, with one year suspended to be served on probation, on Friday, Jan. 17, over the April 2024 death of her foster son Dakota Stevens, according to Law & Crime, NBC Chicago and CBS News.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for on probation 
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Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2025
While on probation for the Rihanna incident, Brown was arrested in Washington, D.C. for his involvement in a hotel altercation.
—EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Taylor was sentenced to six months of home detention after pleading guilty, and placed on probation set to end in 2027.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Wilson was sentenced to six years in prison, with one year suspended to be served on probation, on Friday, Jan. 17, over the April 2024 death of her foster son Dakota Stevens, according to Law & Crime, NBC Chicago and CBS News.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for on probation
Dictionary Entries Near on probation
Cite this Entry
“On probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20probation. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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