probation

Etymology

From Middle French probation, from Old French probacion, from Latin probatio (“a trying, inspection, examination”), from probare, past participle probatus (“to test, examine”); see probate, probe, prove.

noun

1. A period of time when a person occupies a position only conditionally and may be removed if certain conditions are met
   You'll be on probation for first six months. After that, if you work out, they'll hire you permanently.
2. (law) A type of sentence where convicted criminals are allowed to continue living in the community but will automatically be sent to jail if they violate certain conditions
   He got two years probation for robbery.
3. A testing period of time
4. (archaic) The act of testing; proof
   And I shall proceed to consider the testimony of Experience, when I shall have first advertis'd You, that if Men were as perfectly rational as 'tis to be wish'd they were, this sensible way of Probation would be as needless as 'tis wont to be imperfect. 1661, Robert Boyle, The Sceptical Chymist, page 20