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.
speeding is only a minor infraction, but vehicular homicide is a serious felony
Recent Examples on the WebIn the discipline records The Hechinger Report obtained, some school districts reported suspending young children for infractions like hitting their peers or teachers or throwing chairs and desks.—Ariel Gilreath, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024 And the small crimes — even the mere infractions — lead to more serious things.—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 28 Mar. 2024 In a perfect world, the shop owner would hold the child accountable, but also let the infraction go and move on.—Meghan Leahy, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Even so, a $40 or $41 late fee for a second infraction within six months or so, by anyone's guess, is a great deal of money to most people.—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 One of his mother’s boyfriends beat her in front of her children and hit Coleman and his brother for small infractions, such as chewing food too loudly.—Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Many agencies allow officers to chase at high-speed for any infraction, no matter how minor.—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2024 His publicist at the time would not comment on whether the traffic infractions and exposure may have sullied Diddy on Miami Beach.—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024 But at a time when much of the journalism industry faces steep budget cuts, many newsrooms no longer have the resources and staffing to catch every infraction, Keith said.—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin infraction-, infractio, from Latin, subduing, from infringere to break — more at infringe
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