What is the term for the violation of the terms of a contract?

The term that describes the violation of the terms of a contract is "breach of contract." This occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations as specified in the agreement, which can be either a total failure to perform or a partial performance that does not meet the agreed standards. Breach of contract can lead to legal consequences where the affected party may seek remedies such as damages or specific performance in order to enforce the contract's terms.

In contrast, conformance refers to the degree to which something meets specified standards or requirements, which is not related to any violation of an agreement. Termination refers to the ending of a contract, which is not necessarily a result of a breach, as contracts can be terminated for various reasons, including mutual agreement. Invalidation suggests that a contract is rendered void and is not applicable, which differs from the concept of a breach where the contract still exists but has not been honored by one party.