violation

American  

[vahy-uh-ley-shuhn] / ˌvaɪ əˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of violating.

2. the state of being violated.

3. a breach, infringement, or transgression, as of a law, rule, promise, etc..

   He was fined for a traffic violation.

4. desecration; profanation.

   the violation of a cemetery.

5. sexual molestation, especially rape.

6. a distortion of meaning or fact.

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Synonym Usage

See breach.

Other Word Forms

• nonviolation
  noun
• previolation
  noun
• reviolation
  noun
• violational
  adjective

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.

Example Sentences

"Reports of Fifa conduct in violation of the city's consumer protection law, including misleading fans about seat locations and artificially inflating prices, are deeply troubling," Levine said.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Duane sent Cozart evidence it would be a violation of medical standards and common understandings of the law’s exception if the hospital didn’t provide Waldorf an induction.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

"Our labour inspectors had monitored poor working conditions, a violation that would put our workers at risk," she said in an interview over Manila radio station DZMM.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Mark Joseph Stern: The Supreme Court held 25 years ago that it is cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment to execute intellectually disabled people.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

And a huge violation of my privacy, I want to add, but I don’t because my tongue is fighting with my brain and really I’m just hearing Hiroshi’s words on a continuous loop.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Related Words

• abuse
• contravention
• encroachment
• infraction
• infringement
• misdemeanor
• negligence
• offense
• transgression