infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment in-ˈfrinj-mənt 

1

: the act of infringing : violation

2

: an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege

Synonyms of infringement

• violation

Examples of infringement in a Sentence

any government action limiting freedom of speech is an infringement of the U.S. Constitution

Recent Examples on the Web

In June 2024, the RIAA sued Suno and Udio on behalf of the major labels, accusing the AI music startups of mass copyright infringement. —Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

In the case of the former, content communities that upload film or television clips or music videos, or sometimes entire films or TV series episodes, can be subject to copyright infringement actions, often simply in the form of having these items removed. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May 2026

Chrome Hearts, the fashion brand that shares a name with Neil Young’s current backing group, has voluntarily dropped its trademark-infringement lawsuit against the band, Billboard reports. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 18 May 2026

But trademark infringement lawsuits can be filed in federal court — a potentially greater deterrent to misuse, because those cases apply nationwide. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for infringement

• impingement

Legal Definition

infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment

: the act or an instance of infringing

especially : the unauthorized use of copyrighted or patented material or of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress see also equivalent, fair use

Note: Infringement of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress involves use of one by the infringer that is the same as that of the owner or so similar that it is likely to deceive or to cause confusion or mistake on the part of the average purchaser. Infringement of a copyright involves the copying of a material and substantial portion of the protected work. If the alleged infringer denies copying, the copyright holder may be able to prove infringement with circumstantial evidence of the infringer's access to the protected work and of similarities between the two works.