noun
a situation or period of time in which a person who is starting a new job is tested and watched to see if that person is able to do the job properly [noncount]
[noncount] law :a situation or period of time in which a person who has committed a crime is allowed to stay out of prison if that person behaves well, does not commit another crime, etc.
[noncount] US :a situation or period of time in which a person who has made a serious mistake or done something bad is watched and must behave well in order not to be seriously punished