The best way to explain the old-fashioned word ‘Probate’ is to describe it as a Court Order called a Grant of Representation. Once issued this gives you the power to deal with the affairs of a deceased person.
This description would make the Probate process much less confusing - indeed, this is probably the only time in law when using more words helps! So it’s as simple as that. “getting probate” means obtaining a Court Order so that you can step into the shoes of someone who has died so that you can sort their affairs out.
The Executor or Administrator of a person’s estate will usually apply for Probate.