Probation
WordNet
noun
(1) (law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court
"Probation is part of the sentencing process"
(2) A trial period during which an offender has time to redeem himself or herself
(3) A trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership
WiktionaryText
Etymology
< < < , pp. ; see probate, probe, prove.
Noun
- A period of time when a person occupies a position only conditionally and may easily be removed for poor performance
- You'll be on probation for first six months. After that, if you work out, they'll hire you permanently.
- A type of sentence where convicted criminals are allowed to continue living in the community but will automatically be sent to jail if they violate certain conditions
- He got two years probation for robbery.
- The act of testing; proof
- 1661, Robert Boyle, The Sceptical Chymist, page 20,
- And I shall proceed to consider the testimony of Experience, when I shall have first advertis'd You, that if Men were as perfectly rational as 'tis to be wish'd they were, this sensible way of Probation would be as needless as 'tis wont to be imperfect.
- 1661, Robert Boyle, The Sceptical Chymist, page 20,