on probation

idiom

: 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.

: 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.

: 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 She was released in 2006 and allowed to return to Oregon on probation. —

Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024 Former Jackass star Bam Margera pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct on Wednesday, June 26, and has been sentenced to six months on probation, reports the Associated Press, New York Daily News and ABC 6. —

Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 27 June 2024 The Nevada State Contractors Board had put Titan on probation in 2023 after receiving multiple customer complaints. —

Alana Semuels, TIME, 18 June 2024 Since Bartholomew was on probation for a January drug conviction in Solano County, police searched his car and allegedly found a large cache of condom packages and personal lubricant. —

Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 15 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for on probation

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on probation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.