violation

[vahy-uh-ley-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR violation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of violating.

the state of being violated.

a breach, infringement, or transgression, as of a law, rule, promise, etc.: He was fined for a traffic violation.

desecration; profanation: the violation of a cemetery.

sexual molestation, especially rape.

a distortion of meaning or fact.

Origin of violation

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin violātiōn- (stem of violātiō), equivalent to violāt(us) (see violate) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsvi·o·la·tion·al, adjectivenon·vi·o·la·tion, nounpre·vi·o·la·tion, nounre·vi·o·la·tion, noun

Synonym study

3. See breach.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for violation

encroachment, negligence, infringement, infraction, misdemeanor, contravention, abuse, offense, transgression, invasion, assault, mistreatment, pollution, destruction, misbehavior, breaking, break, trespass, wrong, illegality

Examples from the Web for violation

Contemporary Examples of violation

Violation of gravitas is being taken ‘extremely seriously’ by army top brass, source says.
Hunt To Identify Pirouetting 'Bearskin' Guardsman Who Shamed Army
Tom Sykes
September 3, 2014

Historical Examples of violation

Violation of parole—he left the state without notifying his parole officer.
By Proxy
Gordon Randall Garrett
Violation of this rule would be punished by the excommunication of the family.
Castes and Tribes of Southern India
Edgar Thurston
Violation of my plighted word—the downfall of her hopes were nothing!
Alone
Marion Harland
Violation of this law was made a high misdemeanor and punished accordingly.
The Iron Heel
Jack London
Violation of the edict meant that trespassers ran the risk of sudden decease under the judgment of the Company's servants.
The Law of the North (Originally published as Empery)
Samuel Alexander White

Word Origin and History for violation

early 15c., from Latin violationem (nominative violatio) "an injury, irreverence," from past participle stem of violare "to violate, treat with violence, outrage, dishonor," perhaps related to vis "violence, strength."