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
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Overwhelmingly, the charges were for traffic infractions, vehicle licensing violations such as driving without a license, or driving under the influence.—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 After play continued for a bit, Castellanos went to the monitor and awarded another penalty four minutes after the infraction.—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025 The penalties are civil infractions that start at $200 and escalate for violators who refuse to comply after being warned.—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 June 2025 Authorities also noted that Travis was involved in a car crash on May 27, to which he was handed down traffic infractions after a police investigation.—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for infraction
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin infraction-, infractio, from Latin, subduing, from infringere to break — more at infringe
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