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

Manteca police issued 1,413 red-light camera violations throughout the city in November 2025 through the 24th of that month. —Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

Williams noted that no citations were issued, administrative license violations brought or charges pursued. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

Dykstra was a passenger in a 2015 GMC Sierra truck that was pulled over due to a motor vehicle code violation in Pike County, according to state police records. —Matt Moret, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

The legal back-and-forth to obtain access to the records took more than three years, but Ellison’s office eventually filed a civil enforcement action alleging violations of the state’s Fair Labor Standards Act. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 7 Jan. 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