probation
proh-BAY-shuhn
/proʊˈbeɪʃn/
A period of time at the start of a new job during which an employee's skills and conduct are tested.
If an employee fails their probation, they can usually be dismissed more easily than a permanent staff member.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'probare', meaning 'to test, judge, or prove'. It's the same root that gives us 'probe' and 'prove'. During probation, you have to 'prove' you can do the job.
Word relationships
- trial period: A trial period is a less formal synonym for probation.
Commonly confused with
- onboarding: Onboarding is the support you get; probation is the test you must pass.
Word family
- probationary (adj): Relating to a period of probation.
- probate (noun): The official proving of a will (same root).
Collocations
- probation period
- on probation
- pass probation
Example sentences
- "Most contracts include a three-month probation period to ensure the new hire is a good fit." Employment Law
- "She felt a lot of pressure during her probation, knowing her every move was being evaluated." Workplace
Memory hook
Probation is a 'probe' into your abilities. The company is 'probing' to see if you are good. Probation = Prove yourself.
When not to use
In a legal context, it refers to a period of supervision for a criminal instead of prison. Don't confuse the two!
Fun facts
- The phrase 'the exception proves the rule' uses 'prove' in the old sense of 'testing' the rule, just like probation.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.