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

Basallo shook his head and returned to his crouch, but Dean Kremer was then called for a pitch clock violation. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

He had been booked into the jail in late November on a probation violation warrant. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

In an amendment, lawmakers increased the per-violation penalty from $1,000 to $5,000. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

Operator errors, including violations of safety protocols and the removal of most absorbing rods, also played a role. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 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
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

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