violation
Americannoun
-
violations
plural
Synonym Usage
See breach.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of violation
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin violātiōn- (stem of violātiō ), equivalent to violāt ( us ) ( see violate) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Anytime a person crosses a boundary — a legal boundary, a moral boundary, a physical boundary, or a binding business deal — that's a violation. When a burglar picks the lock on your door, that's a violation of your property. A violation can be a disrespectful act or the crossing of someone’s physical boundaries. When you're forced to shake hands with your boss's wife, the way her perfume stings your eyes might feel like a violation. Violation is often used to describe an action that disregards an agreement or a basic right, such as a violation of a global climate treaty or a human rights violation.
Vocabulary lists containing violation
Freak the Mighty
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American Football, 2nd Quarter
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Command said the recent mine blast was a violation of the armistice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Asahi Breweries said it was "subject to investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission regarding a suspected violation of the Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade".
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
The attack "constitutes a flagrant violation of maritime law and, more broadly, of the rules of navigation," Radev said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Violators will receive a notice of violation in the mail within 15 days.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
And worse, a violation of orders, which could have awful consequences if he ever made it back home.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Pillay, 85, also served as UN rights chief, taking part in high-profile work considering allegations of human rights violations, including in Rwanda, Myanmar and Gaza.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Pillay, 85, has taken part in high-profile work considering allegations of human rights violations during a decades-long career, including in Rwanda, Myanmar and Gaza.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The county is empowered by statute to investigate and prosecute violations of the Unfair Competition Law on behalf of California residents and to seek restitution, civil penalties and injunctive relief for any violations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
The demonstration was broken up by police, an hour earlier than planned due to several "violations," a statement said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
“However,” he said, “let it be known that this court is not concerned with any perpetrators of violations against our state’s now— blessedly so—defunct Alien Land Law. Mr. Hooks, you may proceed.”
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
