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.
speeding is only a minor infraction, but vehicular homicide is a serious felony
Recent Examples on the WebThe infraction for drivers going over 100 mph opens the individual to a wide range of penalties.—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024 As for that original warning issued to Mr. Gianforte, the man who designed the classes that the governor had not taken said the infraction was serious.—Jonathan Weisman, New York Times, 2 June 2024 Last year alone, 57 other citations were issued in San Luis Obispo for the same infraction, per KFSN.—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 Due to Comer’s inability to manage the infraction, chaos ensued.—Megan Thiele Strong, The Mercury News, 24 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for infraction
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infraction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin infraction-, infractio, from Latin, subduing, from infringere to break — more at infringe
Share