violation
vy-uh-LAY-shuhn
/ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃən/
An act of breaking or failing to comply with a traffic law, regulation, or code.
Violation is a broad, formal term that covers everything from minor parking errors to serious criminal driving offenses.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'violare', meaning 'to treat with violence, outrage, or dishonor', which itself comes from 'vis' (force or strength). In a legal sense, a violation is an act of force against the established peace of the law.
Word relationships
- infraction: Infraction specifically refers to minor, non-criminal offenses, while violation can include serious crimes.
- offense: Offense is a slightly more formal term that often carries a connotation of moral or criminal wrongdoing.
- observance: Observance is the act of keeping or obeying a law, whereas violation is breaking it.
Commonly confused with
- crime: All traffic crimes are violations, but not all violations (like parking over the line) are considered crimes.
Word family
- violate (verb): To break or fail to comply with a law.
- violator (noun): A person who breaks a traffic law.
Collocations
- moving violation
- traffic violation
- parking violation
- in violation of
Example sentences
- "Running a stop sign is a moving violation that can result in both a fine and points on your license." A standard legal warning on a traffic ticket.
Memory hook
A violation is when you 'violate' the peace of the road by breaking a safety rule. Violate the law, get a violation.
When not to use
Do not use 'violation' to describe a physical accident unless that accident was caused by breaking a specific law.
Fun facts
- In sports, a 'violation' (like traveling in basketball) results in a loss of possession, whereas a 'foul' involves physical contact.
Related words
Explore more words
infraction, Breach, infringement, transgression, misconduct, infringe
Also appears in
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