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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
Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 1 June 2026
The Department of Labor and Employment’s financial monitoring unit issued Spesshardt an internal infraction for his role in the GPS contract fiasco.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
In a worst-case scenario, the pressure could result in officers stopping people without good reason or making strict policing of minor infractions into a money-making machine for local governments.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 30 May 2026
The schemes involve the use of fake court documents regarding false traffic and criminal infractions.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 28 May 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 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
