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

Last month, Maren Flagg, who is suing Taylor Swift for trademark infringement over The Life of a Showgirl, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026

The publishers allege that Zuckerberg approved the use of copyright infringement. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 May 2026

The creative industries are on the front lines, with authors, artists, and musicians filing dozens of lawsuits against major AI companies for copyright infringement. —Alice Xiang, Time, 6 May 2026

But, to the CSSA, even restricting capacity is an infringement on a Denver resident's Second Amendment rights. —Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 5 May 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.