How to pronounce violation
Say it like vy-uh-LAY-shun. Violation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce violation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- vy
- uh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Violation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- vyKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of violation
American and British speakers say violation in essentially the same way: /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/ in the US and /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: vy-uh-LAY-shun.
What does violation mean?
- a crime less serious than a felony
- an act that disregards an agreement or a right“he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment”
- entry to another's property without right or permission
Where does violation come from?
Borrowed from Middle French violation, from Latin violātiō (“injury, profanation”), from violō (“to treat with violence; to maltreat; to violate, defile, profane”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with violation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of violation.
Questions about saying violation
How do you pronounce violation?
Say vy-uh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in violation?
Violation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LAY). Broken into parts: vy · uh · LAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say violation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/ and the British form is /vaɪəˈleɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.