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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
Laura Bauer
march 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
Fenwick suffered the infraction due to athlete eligibility violations from the baseball program.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
These safety enhancements could include specific zones where penalties could be increased for infractions like DUI, public intoxication, and open containers.
—Esteban Reynoso, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Because this would be Profar’s second infraction, an appeal would take place after a suspension was announced.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
