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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
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
Duklef was on the phone with him, expecting a call back soon, assuming he had been pulled over for some kind of driving infraction.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
There will be some small, technical updates, such as changing the advisement sheet that informs defendants about possible penalties for their infractions.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
Running a red light is an infraction in North Carolina, which comes with a fine of up to $100, three points on your driving record and three points on your insurance record, Mauney said.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infraction
Cite this Entry
“Infraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infraction. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
