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 of violation

• crime
• sin
• felony
• breach
• trespass

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

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar - which have both been repeatedly struck by Iranian projectiles - condemned Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, describing them as violations of those countries' sovereignty and international law. — Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 28 June 2026

So, on this particular ruling, the lawyers for the Haitian immigrants argued the administration's decision to revoke TPS, and specifically the president's own language, was racially based, and therefore in violation of equal protection. — CBS News, 28 June 2026

These laws, still on the books, allow the federal government to criminally prosecute civil rights violations by local officials. — Joel B. Rudin, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026

Rushing in and risking a possible violation is not an appealing gamble. — Daniel Flatley, Fortune, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing violation

• in violation of
• moving violation

Rhymes for violation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

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