infraction

noun in·frac·tion \ in-ˈfrak-shən \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of infraction

: the act of infringing : violation

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infract

play \in-ˈfrakt\ transitive verb

See infraction defined for English-language learners

See infraction defined for kids

Examples of infraction in a Sentence

speeding is only a minor infraction, but vehicular homicide is a serious felony

Recent Examples of infraction from the Web

The mayor wants to increase fines for certain infractions, some more than double current rates, to raise $5 million for several new transportation initiatives.

— adam vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston councilors warm to higher parking fines," 14 Apr. 2018
The South Russell man, 22, was cited for the infraction along with having marijuana in the vehicle.

— joan rusek, cleveland.com, "Animal trap with trapped opossum found in Whitesburg Park," 29 Mar. 2018
Standards need to be established to determine which infractions are merely 15-yard penalties and which ones warrant ejections, fines and suspension.

— jarrett bell, USA TODAY, "Head games: Rule confusion once again reigns in NFL's unclear world," 29 Mar. 2018
Goodell said that in the coming weeks the league will be refining the rule to determine which infractions would be 15-yard penalties, and which would warrant an ejection.

— sam farmer, latimes.com, "New NFL rule outlaws players from lowering their heads to initiate contact," 29 Mar. 2018
Such an approach may occasionally still result in a reshuffling of results at the end of a race, but the penalty would be far more proportionate to the infraction.

— martin fritz huber, Outside Online, "It's Time to Change the Rules of Track and Field," 28 Mar. 2018
Alajakis added that discipline varies depending on the infraction and a student's discipline history.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "3 adults, 11 juveniles charged in January fight outside Waukegan High School," 22 Mar. 2018
The third infraction means no benefits for five years.

— kansascity, "Missouri GOP has chosen an election year to launch new attacks on the poor | The Kansas City Star," 21 Mar. 2018
The infractions are believed to center on impermissible summer workouts.

— kathleen megan, courant.com, "Legislators Say More Money Isn't There If UConn Is Forced To Pay Ollie," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infraction.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

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.