violation

[vahy-uh-ley-shuhn]

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of violation¹

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

Synonym Study

See breach.

Example Sentences

AI companies have pointed to that doctrine as a defense when sued over alleged copyright violations.

From Los Angeles Times

The owners eventually moved on to issuing informal and non-official eviction notices to residents, saying they were in violation of myriad statutes, the suit states.

From Los Angeles Times

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who belongs to Thailand's most powerful political dynasty, was removed by the constitutional court last week for ethical violations over her handling of the border dispute with Cambodia.

From BBC

Earlier this week, Bishop Montgomery announced it was forfeiting its remaining football games after self-reporting violations to the Southern Section.

From Los Angeles Times

Proven incidents of teams circumventing the cap are few, with a violation by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2000 serving as the most egregious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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