noun
violation
vye-uh-LAY-shuhn/ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃn/
An act that breaks a rule or infringes someone's rights.
Parking in front of a fire hydrant is a violation.
Etymology
The underlying verb meant to outrage or dishonor. Its action noun extended from injury and profanation to breaches of treaties and commands, connecting an offense against something respected with failure to observe a binding rule.
In context
it was found that one of the labor union leaders had shares in the company which is obviously a conflict of interest as well as a blatant violation of American labor law
More examples
- Sharing her medical records without permission is a violation of her privacy.
- Inspectors found several safety violations in the kitchen.
- Keeping a pet here is a violation of the lease.
Forms
violation · violations
violate verb — To break a rule or infringe rights.
violator noun — Someone who breaks rules or infringes rights.
Similar words
- breach
- Often emphasizes breaking an agreement or failing a duty.
- infraction
- Usually suggests a minor breach of a rule or law.
- infringement
- Often emphasizes interference with protected rights rather than general rules.