violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the act of violating : the state of being violated: such as

a

: infringement, transgression

specifically : an infringement of the rules in sports that is less serious than a foul and usually involves technicalities of play

b

: an act of irreverence or desecration : profanation

c

: disturbance, interruption

d

: rape entry 1 sense 1, ravishment

Synonyms

• breach
• crime
• debt
• error
• lawbreaking
• malefaction
• misdeed
• misdoing
• offense
• offence
• sin
• transgression
• trespass
• wrongdoing

Examples of violation in a Sentence

a serious violation of the law

A second violation was called on the basketball player.

He was arrested for violation of his parole.

The group monitors human rights violations.

trying to prevent violation of human rights

Recent Examples on the Web

On each occasion the violations again ranged from basic to high priority. —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Trump funding freeze a blatant violation of Constitution, federal law: Legal experts Even bolder, Trump's pledging to dismantle entire agencies. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2025

In a 2012 Supreme Court case, it was ruled 9-0 that putting a tracking device on a car without a warrant is a violation of Fourth Amendment rights. —Jason Ogaard, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

His son, Shaw, joined other fire victims in filing a lawsuit last month against Southern California Edison, accusing the utility of negligence, violation of health and safety codes and not maintaining its vegetation and equipment. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing violation

• in violation of
• moving violation

Kids Definition

violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: an act or an instance of violating : the state of being violated