infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment in-ˈfrinj-mənt 

1

: the act of infringing : violation

2

: an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege

Synonyms of infringement

• violation

Examples of infringement in a Sentence

any government action limiting freedom of speech is an infringement of the U.S. Constitution

Recent Examples on the Web

Naturally, Yuga Labs sued Ripps, and his partner Cahen, alleging false advertising, trademark infringement, and cybersquatting. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The Las Vegas performer who sued Taylor Swift for trademark infringement last week is asking a federal judge to drop the curtain on any drink tumblers, brushes, or other merchandise bearing Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl album title while the case proceeds. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026

In October 2024, record labels Universal, Warner, and Sony got a win over Grande when the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit decided the ISP was liable for contributory copyright infringement. —ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2026

The 30-second ad, shared exclusively with The Hill before the campaign’s launch, features Republicans speaking out against federal infringement in state election processes. —Sarah Davis, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for infringement

• impingement

Legal Definition

infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment

: the act or an instance of infringing

especially : the unauthorized use of copyrighted or patented material or of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress see also equivalent, fair use

Note: Infringement of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress involves use of one by the infringer that is the same as that of the owner or so similar that it is likely to deceive or to cause confusion or mistake on the part of the average purchaser. Infringement of a copyright involves the copying of a material and substantial portion of the protected work. If the alleged infringer denies copying, the copyright holder may be able to prove infringement with circumstantial evidence of the infringer's access to the protected work and of similarities between the two works.