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

Some of them reach out asking for help addressing violations of city code. —Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025

The announcement sparked intense bipartisan backlash from lawmakers, who argued that the case is a classic antitrust violation. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Dec. 2025

Advertisement Israel has claimed that its attacks are retaliation for alleged cease-fire violations by Hamas. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Dec. 2025

Former Oregon high school athletes Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard came to a settlement with the state's high school sports league, the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA), in a lawsuit over free speech violations. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 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