noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˌpɹə(ʊ)ˈbeɪʃən/
US:/ˌpɹoʊˈbeɪʃən/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪʃən
CMU ARPABET:P R OW0 B EY1 SH AH0 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A period of time when a person occupies a position only conditionally and may be removed if certain conditions are not met.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
You'll be on probation for first six months. After that, if you work out, they'll hire you permanently.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A type of sentence where convicted criminals are permitted to continue living in a community but will automatically be sent to jail if they violate certain conditions.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: law
Examples
He got two years probation for robbery.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A testing period of time.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
The act of testing; proof.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
(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
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
probation is part of the sentencing process
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: liberation, release, freeing
6
noun
Meaning 6
a trial period during which an offender has time to redeem himself or herself
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: trial period, test period
7
noun
Meaning 7
a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: trial period, test period
History
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English probacioun, from Middle French probation, from Old French probacion, from Latin probatio (“a trying, inspection, examination”), from probare, past participle probatus (“to test, examine”); see probate, probe, prove.
Across languages
Translations
51 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Armenian:
փորձաշրջան
(pʻorjašrǰan)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Bulgarian:
стаж
(staž)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Chinese Mandarin:
试用期
(shìyòngqī)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Czech:
zkušební doba
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Danish:
prøvetid
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Danish:
prøveperiode
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Dutch:
proeftijd
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Finnish:
koeaika
— period of conditional employment or engagement
French:
période d'essai
— period of conditional employment or engagement
German:
Probezeit
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Greek:
δοκιμασία
(dokimasía)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Hungarian:
próbaidő
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Japanese:
保護観察
(hogo-kansatsu)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Malay:
percubaan
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Plautdietsch:
Proowtiet
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Polish:
staż
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Polish:
okres próbny
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Portuguese:
contrato de experiência
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Portuguese:
período de experiência
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Romanian:
perioadă de probă
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Russian:
испыта́тельный срок
(ispytátelʹnyj srok)
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Spanish:
periodo de prueba
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Swedish:
praktisk arbetslivsorientering
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Thai:
ทดลองงาน
— period of conditional employment or engagement
Bulgarian:
условна присъда
(uslovna prisǎda)
— type of sentence
Chinese Mandarin:
緩刑 /缓刑
(huǎnxíng)
— type of sentence
Czech:
podmíněný trest
— type of sentence
Czech:
podmínka
— type of sentence
Danish:
prøveløsladelse
— type of sentence
Dutch:
proefverlof
— type of sentence
Esperanto:
provizora libero
— type of sentence
Finnish:
ehdollinen vankeusrangaistus
— type of sentence
Finnish:
ehdollinen
— type of sentence
French:
liberté conditionnelle
— type of sentence
German:
Bewährung
— type of sentence
Greek:
αναστολή υπό επιτήρηση
(anastolí ypó epitírisi)
— type of sentence
Hungarian:
próbaidő
— type of sentence
Italian:
libertà vigilata
— type of sentence
Italian:
messa in prova
— type of sentence
Japanese:
保護観察
(hogo kansatsu)
— type of sentence
Korean:
보호관찰
(bohogwanchal)
— type of sentence
Malay:
percubaan
— type of sentence
Māori:
poropeihana
— type of sentence
Polish:
wyrok w zawieszeniu
— type of sentence
Portuguese:
condicional
— type of sentence
Romanian:
probațiune
— type of sentence
Romanian:
perioadă de probațiune
— type of sentence
