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An infraction is usually the breaking of a law, rule, or agreement. So a nation charged with an infraction of an international treaty will usually have to pay a penalty. In Federal law, an infraction is even smaller than a misdemeanor, and the only penalty is a fine. Most of us occasionally commit infractions of parking laws and get ticketed; speeding tickets are usually for infractions as well, though they go on a permanent record and can end up costing you money for years to come. The closely related word infringement generally refers to a violation of a right or privilege; use of another's writings without permission, for example, may be an infringement of the copyright.
Examples of infraction in a Sentence
Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Court documents reviewed by the Tribune show the man who allegedly opened the door into O’Neil’s path has a history of traffic infractions.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
He was suspended multiple times during his career for infractions including violating the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policy.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 14 June 2026
The Nevada Department of Corrections did not specify why Ruggs was moved but said that offenders who commit infractions can be moved to higher levels of custody.
—Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
