Did you know?
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
Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Use the infraction as a lifelong learning experience.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
Attending a protest, or even a minor infraction like a speeding ticket, could now cost a person their visa.
—Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Holding social media executives accountable Sanchez said prosecutors would explore ways to investigate possible legal infractions by Elon Musk’s Grok, as well as by TikTok and Instagram, part of Meta.
—Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
