violation
violation — noun
1. a situation in which someone does something that a law, rule, agreement, or acce
a situation in which someone does something that a law, rule, agreement, or accepted principle says they must not do, or fails to do something they are required to do
Otis received a fine for a parking violation in the city centre.
collocation: parking violation / traffic violation
The court found the company's violation of safety regulations to be deliberate.
violation + of + specific regulation
Landlords who ignore building codes could face a violation notice from the city.
Sade argued that the new policy was a clear violation of the privacy agreement.
- breach
more formal and often used for agreements, contracts, or relationships
- infringement
suggests a less serious breaking of rules, often used for rights or copyright
- transgression
stronger moral or religious tone; implies knowingly crossing a boundary
- compliance
the state of following rules or laws
- observance
active respect for a law, custom, or rule
文法句型
violation + of + [law/rule/agreement/right]
in violation + of + [law/rule]
用法筆記
Commonly paired with a preceding noun that specifies the type of rule broken, such as 'parking violation,' 'traffic violation,' or 'human rights violation.' Also used in the fixed phrase 'in violation of' (e.g., 'in violation of the agreement').
常見錯誤
2. a minor rule-breaking in a sport, usually involving a procedural or technical mi
a minor rule-breaking in a sport, usually involving a procedural or technical mistake that is punished less severely than a foul
The referee called a foot violation when Lakshmi stepped on the sideline during play.
sports compound: foot violation / lane violation / shot-clock violation
Hyun lost possession after the referee signalled a three-second violation in the key.
A shot-clock violation gave the ball back to the visiting team with ten seconds left.
Apinya's serve was waved off after the line judge spotted a foot violation on the baseline.
- infraction
a general term for any rule-breaking, used both in and outside sports
- penalty
focuses on the punishment that follows the rule-breaking, not the act itself
文法句型
[sport term] + violation
用法筆記
Distinct from 'foul' in most sports — a violation is typically a procedural or non-contact infraction (e.g., stepping out of bounds, breaking a time limit), while a foul usually involves physical contact. Not all sports use both terms; in soccer, for example, 'foul' covers most rule-breaking.
常見錯誤
3. the act of treating a holy place, object, or deeply held belief in a way that sh
the act of treating a holy place, object, or deeply held belief in a way that shows extreme disrespect or causes damage
Adina described the graffiti on the temple walls as a violation of a sacred space.
violation + of + sacred/religious site
Many villagers saw the mining project as a violation of their ancestors' burial grounds.
Élise considered the loud music inside the cathedral a violation of the peaceful atmosphere.
The removal of the old cemetery headstones was condemned as a violation of the dead.
- desecration
more specific to religious or sacred things; often implies physical damage
- profanation
more formal and literary; focuses on treating holy things with disrespect rather than causing damage
- veneration
deep respect for something sacred
- sanctification
the act of making or treating something as holy
文法句型
violation + of + [sacred place / object / belief]
用法筆記
Typically describes actions against religious sites, burial grounds, cultural relics, or revered symbols. Carries strong emotional weight and is often used in protest or condemnation. Not used for minor disrespect — the degree of disrespect must be severe.
常見錯誤
4. the crime or act of forcing a person to take part in sexual activity when they d
the crime or act of forcing a person to take part in sexual activity when they do not agree to it, especially through physical force or threat
Allison reported the sexual violation to the hospital staff the next morning.
formal/legal register: sexual violation
The court sentenced him to fourteen years for the violation of a minor.
Survivors of sexual violation often need long-term support from trained counsellors.
The new law gives stronger protection to victims of sexual violation during trials.
- rape
more direct and specific term; 'violation' is sometimes used as a broader or euphemistic alternative in formal settings
- sexual assault
a legal term that can include a wider range of unwanted sexual contact than rape alone
文法句型
sexual violation
violation + of + person
用法筆記
Frequently appears in legal and journalistic contexts as a formal term. Often combined with 'sexual' in compound form. Preferred in formal legal writing over direct slang terms. Considered a sensitive term — use with appropriate context and respect.