violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce violation (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The post was an apparent violation of Major League Baseball’s social media policy, which prohibits the use of electronic devices during games. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Civil rights advocates and others have described Trump’s moves as alarming violations of civil rights, including the right to due process. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025 Put on trial before a military tribunal and found guilty on 474 counts of murder (as well as embezzlement of public funds, material injury, and systematic violations of human rights) was Equatorial Guinea’s first post-independence president, Francisco Macías Nguema. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 18 Apr. 2025 The withholding of files, Tate said, could amount to a Brady violation, referring to the rule that requires prosecutors to disclose material exculpatory information in the government’s possession to the defense. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for violation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of violation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violation. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

violation

noun
vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce violation (audio)
: an act or an instance of violating : the state of being violated

More from Merriam-Webster on violation

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