(law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court; "probation is part of the sentencing process"
a trial period during which an offender has time to redeem himself or herself
a trial period during which your character and abilities are tested to see whether you are suitable for work or for membership
not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside; "extrinsic evidence"; "an extrinsic feature of the new building"; "that style is something extrinsic to the subject"; "looking for extrinsic aid"
(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer; "less than three weeks"; "no less than 50 people attended"; "in 25 words or less"
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality; "no less than perfect"
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs; "less interesting"; "less expensive"; "less quickly"
comparative of little; "she walks less than she should"; "he works less these days"
a person who owes allegiance to that nation; "a monarch has a duty to his subjects"
concerned with or applicable to or belonging to an entire nation or country; "the national government"; "national elections"; "of national concern"; "the national highway system"; "national forests"
limited to or in the interests of a particular nation; "national interests"; "isolationism is a strictly national policy"
owned or maintained for the public by the national government; "national parks"
of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country; "national hero"; "national anthem"; "a national landmark"
of or relating to nationality; "national origin"
characteristic of or peculiar to the people of a nation; "a national trait"
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"
the act of explaining; making something plain or intelligible; "I heard his explanation of the accident"