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

Prosecutors charged Lemon with conspiracy to deprive rights and a FACE Act violation stemming from his involvement in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted church services in Minnesota. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026

Bukele brought murder rates in El Salvador to historic lows through a gargantuan imprisonment campaign and police crackdown, but faces numerous allegations of human rights violations, especially regarding his notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). —Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026

What is going on in our country is a violation of the First, Second, and Fourth Amendments. —NBC news, 1 Feb. 2026

Israel had accused Hamas of new truce violations. —Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing violation

• in violation of
• moving violation

Rhymes for violation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

violation

noun

vi·​o·​la·​tion ˌvī-ə-ˈlā-shən 

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