这是不顾原文法律术语所蕴涵文化背景的含义，只考虑译文法律术语所蕴涵的意义。Probation不是仅仅译为“缓刑”，应译为“(暂)缓(判)刑；缓刑”。其实“Probation”被简单地译作“缓刑”，由来既久，范围又广。“缓刑”是我国刑法学上的一个术语——以宣判某一短期刑为其前提。而在英美法上的“Probation”有时是以暂缓判刑而不是(在判了刑的前提下)暂缓执行刑罚为其特征的：

Probation． Process designed to assist in the rehabilitation of offenders aged 17 or over who are willing to be bound by a probation order requiring them to remain under the supervision of probation officers for 1—3 years and to be of good behavior． A probation order may require attendance at a specified day training center． Failure to comply with the order may result in a sentence for the original offence．

——L．B．Curzon．A Dictionary of Law

从中可见．“Probation”虽以有罪为前提却不以判刑为前提，只是“Probation”的条件遭到违反，才会引起科刑判决(Sentence)。故在这一意义上，“Probation”实际上是暂缓判刑以观后效，而不是汉语“缓刑”(即判刑而同时宣告暂缓执行)。当然，有时，作汉语“缓刑”解的“Probation”也是有的：

Probation．The suspension of a jail or prison term for one convicted but not imprisoned， on condition of continued good behavior and reporting to a supervising probation officer．

——The Dictionary of Practical Law

由此可见，此词有“缓判”与“缓刑”两义，而这一点却正是我们许多人所要搞清楚的。