What does "violation" mean?

1. (breaking a rule) an action that breaks a law, rule, or formal agreement. 2. (disrespecting privacy) an act that treats someone's private life or space without respect. 3. (physical assault) a very serious and violent attack on a person's body. 4. (social insult) a funny or mean comment that points out someone's embarrassing mistake.

How do you use "violation"?

Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the rule being broken. Commonly used in the phrase 'that's a violation' to react to an insult or a mistake.

violation

US //vaɪəˈɫeɪʃən// UK //vaɪəlˈeɪʃən// vi·o·la·tion

1 breaking a rule (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

an action that breaks a law, rule, or formal agreement.

the act of breaking or failing to comply with a law, rule, or formal agreement.

Example

Parking your car in front of the fire hydrant is a violation of city law.

Example

The company faced heavy fines after the audit revealed a clear violation of international safety standards regarding chemical storage.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the rule being broken.
- compliance
- observance
2 disrespecting privacy (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

an act that treats someone's private life or space without respect.

an infringement or disturbance of a person's right to privacy, peace, or personal boundaries.

Example

Reading someone's private diary is a serious violation of their trust.

Example

The celebrity argued that the drone footage was a gross violation of her privacy and sought a court injunction against the agency.
- intrusion
- invasion
- respect
- protection

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3 physical assault (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

a very serious and violent attack on a person's body.

a physical or sexual assault; often used as a formal or euphemistic term for rape.

Example

The victim spoke bravely about the violation she suffered during the attack.

Example

The legal definition of the crime was expanded to include any form of physical violation committed without the victim's explicit consent.

Teacher's tip

This sense is very sensitive and formal; in everyday conversation, people usually use more specific terms like 'assault'.
- assault
- abuse
4 social insult (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Humorous

a funny or mean comment that points out someone's embarrassing mistake.

a humorous or mocking observation regarding a person's appearance, behavior, or social failure.

Example

That haircut is a total violation; you should ask for your money back.

Example

The group chat was filled with laughter after Mark posted a photo of his failed attempt at cooking, calling it a violation of Italian culture.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'that's a violation' to react to an insult or a mistake.
- compliment

Origin

Borrowed from Middle French violation, from Latin violātiō (“injury, profanation”), from violō (“I treat with violence; I maltreat; I violate, defile, profane”). Morphologically violate + -ion.