Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

probation

 noun
     
Related topics: Conditions of Employment, Law
pro‧ba‧tion [uncountable]
1SCL a system that allows some criminals not to go to prison or to leave prison, if they behave well and see a probation officer regularly, for a particular period of time:
The judge sentenced Jennings to three years' probation.
(put/place somebody) on probation
He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
2BEC a period of time, during which an employer can see if a new worker is suitable:
a three month probation period
on probation
Some people are appointed on probation.
3 American EnglishBEC a period of time in which you must improve your work or behave well so that you will not have to leave your job:
I'm afraid I have no choice but to put you on probation.
—probationary adjective:
a probationary period
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary