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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
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
The school won an appeal to the FHSAA infraction appeals committee and Conaway, who was serving a one-year ban on coaching in games, had that penalty shortened to six games.
—Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
The Mercedes Lopez was driving, according to public records, racked up nine violations in 2024 between April 17 and May 10 — seven for speeding in a school zone, two for running a red light and one for a bus lane infraction.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Should the Sun Devils have taken their chances with the infractions committee?
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 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 30 Aug. 2025.
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infraction
noun
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