/prə'beɪʃn; [US] prəʊ-; pro`beʃən/
n [U]
1 (law 律) (system of) keeping an official check on the behaviour of (esp young) people found guilty of crime as an alternative to sending them to prison 缓刑（制）（尤指对年轻犯人施行的）
*sentenced to three years' probation被判处缓刑三年.
2 testing of a person's abilities or behaviour to find out if he or she is suitable （对人的）试用（期）
*There's a three-month period of probation/probationperiod for new recruits. 新加入的人员有三个月试用期.
3 (idm 习语) on probation
(a) (of a law-breaker) undergoing a period of probation(1) （指违法者）服缓刑
*He's been released from prison on probation, ie If he does not behave satisfactorily he will be sent back. 他获释服缓刑（若表现不好则重新收监）.
(b) being tested before being finally accepted in employment, etc （受雇者）在试用期中.

n[U]
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 sb) on probation
　He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation.
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.
AmE 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 .
>probationaryadj
　a probationary period