probation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a court-ordered period in which an offender remains in the community under stated conditions instead of, or after, imprisonment

   The judge sentenced him to two years of probation and community service.

2. 2
   noun

   a trial period during which a person's suitability for a job, role, or membership is assessed

   New employees remain on probation for their first three months.

3. 3
   noun

   testing or examination before admission to a right, office, or status; formal or historical

   Candidates underwent a public probation before they could enter the profession.

From Middle English probacioun, through French from Latin probatio, 'testing, examination, or proof,' based on probare, 'to test or approve.' The legal and employment senses both preserve the idea of a conditional period of testing.

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