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violation

violation

222 4.6
A small crime usually punished by a fine
  • noun
  • /ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : infracción
  • Dress code violation.
  • minor violations
  • code violations
  • penalties for violations

So you have certain counties where, you know, it's, it could be a parking ticket, it could be a traffic violation.

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Examples

  • Many drivers received a ticket for a traffic violation while speeding on the highway.

  • We have a curfew violation.

    Mad Max (1979)

  • People give themselves away in a traffic violation just as much as they do in a murder case.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • No, it's probably a securities law violation, but we'll deal with that later.

  • I'm seeing multiple violations of rules of the road!

    Curious George (2006)

  • For example, David Sohappy was arrested for fishing with a net in violation of state regulations.

    Academic text (2017)

  • I just saw 26 blatant health code violations.

    Madagascar (2005)

  • Roderick, I'm gonna have to cite you for a violation of state law.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • People drive these in urban areas to patrol the streets and check for parking violations and they're a common sight in big cities throughout the world.

  • Due to repeated violations of statute 1 5-C... we have impounded his vehicle.

    Treasure Planet (2002)

Synonyms

offense
vsviolation
  • US
351 3.3

An act that breaks a law or rule

is used for a minor legal crime usually bearing fines not jail
misdemeanor
vsviolation
  • Specialized
133 6.0

A small crime that is less serious than a major crime

emphasizes punishments like fines rather than prison time
infringement
vsviolation
  • Formal
103 6.7

Breaking a law, rule, or someone else's rights

applies to a minor legal crime rather than harming rights
transgression
vsviolation
49 8.1

An action that breaks a law, rule, or moral principle

refers specifically to a minor legal crime rather than a moral failing
infraction
vsviolation
47 7.2

A small break of a rule or law often punished with a fine

is the general law term for such a minor crime often fined
contravention
vsviolation
  • Formal
4 8.9

An action that breaks a law or rule

is narrower and denotes a minor legal crime often punished by fines

Compounds

serious violation
6 4.5

Breaking an important rule or law that causes big harm and heavy punishment

violation of privacy right
  • Specialized
7.0

An act that shows or shares someone's private information without permission and breaks the law

How Serious

felony
  • Specialized
310 5.5
misdemeanor
  • Specialized
133 6.0
violation
  • Specialized
222 4.6
infraction
47 7.2

Surface Forms

violation singular
violations plural

Morphology

violation = violate (transparent) = violate + ion

The legal sense (a minor offense) is a common nominalization of 'violate' used in law and everyday speech (e.g., 'traffic violation'), so the formation is productive and learnable.

Etymology

Violation comes from the Latin violare, which means 'to force' or 'to break', and shares its root with violent. In law, this word often means a smaller kind of 'breaking' of rules, like a ticket or fine rather than a serious crime.