n.1 Law a system of suspending the sentence on an offender subject to a period of good behaviour under supervision.
2 a process or period of testing the character or abilities of a person in a certain role, esp. of a new employee.
3 a moral trial or discipline.
Phrases and idioms:
on probation undergoing probation, esp. legal supervision. probation officer an official supervising offenders on probation.
Derivatives:
probational adj. probationary adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF probation or L probatio (as PROVE)