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

• offence
• crime
• sin
• felony

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

Regarding the lack of disciplinary records documenting policy violations, Payne placed blame on prison staff for failure to write Holt up for disciplinary violations. —Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025

Hamas and the Israeli military have each accused the other of violations. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Because asset price markets are so liquid and efficient, any violations of the law of one price should be eliminated almost instantaneously. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

From unidentified meat to gnats on clean dishes, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City area restaurants last week. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025

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