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
She was released on probation pending further hearings.
—
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Siegel was still on probation for that case when he was charged in the Liberty incident in 2023.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
Anthony Miller was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 165 days suspended, placed on probation for five years, ordered to forfeit all companion animals and given a lifetime ban from owning companion animals.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
The former pastor will serve the six months in jail in Osage County, Oklahoma, and then serve the remainder of the sentence on probation in Texas.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on probation
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Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Siegel was still on probation for that case when he was charged in the Liberty incident in 2023.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2025
Anthony Miller was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 165 days suspended, placed on probation for five years, ordered to forfeit all companion animals and given a lifetime ban from owning companion animals.
—Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
The former pastor will serve the six months in jail in Osage County, Oklahoma, and then serve the remainder of the sentence on probation in Texas.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on probation
Cite this Entry
“On probation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20probation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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