violation
AmericanRelated Words
See breach.
Other Word Forms
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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List 2
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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.
The plot by Do, officials said, was a violation of the Lacey Act, which bans trafficking in fish, wildlife or plants illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
Nearly half reported knowledge of an honor code violation but less than 1% had made a report.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
"Dukono is a mountain with almost continuous eruptive activity, so any violation of the danger zone carries a fatal risk," he told the BBC.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
"This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void," the court said.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
They had not repeated their violation, and no worthy man paid her notice after that day, given the cabin she called home and the stories of her lunacy.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
