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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
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The list of minor infractions is long.
—Nicholas Thompson, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
Both infractions were dismissed in January, according to online records in 37th District Court in Warren.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Replacement Matt Peart committed two holding penalties, including a drive-altering infraction in the second quarter, and was also called for a false start.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
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