violation
noun
vi·o·la·tion
ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 
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
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
Like Cincinnati police, Schuler said sheriff's office supervisors usually take on complaints regarding less severe policy violations, such as a deputy speeding on a highway or answering the phone rudely.
—
Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
He was booked into jail for assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury, felony vandalism, and violation of his post-release community supervision terms.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Supreme Court has suggested that low cell temperatures combined with a failure to provide blankets could constitute an Eighth Amendment violation.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violation
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Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia.
—Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
He was booked into jail for assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury, felony vandalism, and violation of his post-release community supervision terms.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Supreme Court has suggested that low cell temperatures combined with a failure to provide blankets could constitute an Eighth Amendment violation.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for violation
Cite this Entry
“Violation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/violation. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
violation
noun
vi·o·la·tion
ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən
: an act or an instance of violating : the state of being violated
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