Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Violation has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
a crime less serious than a felony
"The officer issued a ticket for the speeding violation, noting that it was far less severe than a felony."
an act that disregards an agreement or a right
"he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment"
entry to another's property without right or permission
"The homeowner immediately called the police when they noticed a strange car parked in their driveway late at night, suspecting it was just another violation."
a disrespectful act
"His violation of her personal space made everyone at the party uncomfortable."
the crime of forcing a person to submit to sexual intercourse against his or her will
"The police arrested him for committing rape, which is defined as the violation of forcing someone to have sex against their will."
The act or an instance of violating or the condition of being violated.
"The security guard immediately detained the driver after noticing a clear violation of the parking restrictions on the sign."
An infraction or a failure to follow a rule.
"The referee called a foul for a clear violation of the team's passing rules."
In plain English: A violation is when you break a rule or go against something that is supposed to be followed.
"The police issued a ticket after he received a violation for speeding in a school zone."
Usage: Use violation to describe any breach of rules, laws, or agreements rather than minor mistakes like errors or oversights. It often appears in formal contexts such as legal disputes, safety inspections, or contract negotiations where specific regulations have been broken.
The word "violation" comes from the Middle French violatiō, which was borrowed from Latin to mean injury or profanation. It entered English through this French form rather than directly from its original Latin roots.