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 tool can also help when an officer normally stationed elsewhere, such as a traffic officer familiar with every violation and statute related to that role, ends up near the beach and needs to confirm certain rules. — Laurie Mermet, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2026

Food kept around weeks too long, food kept at temperatures that were wrong and numerous handwashing violations caused a Miami Presidente Supermarket to fail inspection last week. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Residents allege that the houses at 701 and 705 Woodruff Place are being developed into six-bedroom properties to be listed on PadSplit, raising concerns about zoning violations in a historic neighborhood intended for single-family homes. — Diamy Wang august 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026

Around the same time, the Illinois attorney general sued the Morgans over minimum wage violations at Heights Crematory. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 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