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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
Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Taylor Flint opened the scoring with a penalty kick for Louisville in the 23rd minute after defender Avery Patterson committed a handball infraction in the box.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said that the two teenagers are known to police, with prior charges related to fleeing police and motor vehicle infractions.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Equally important is mandating ignition interlock devices for all offenders, not just repeat offenders, to help address flaws that allow individuals to operate vehicles even after prior infractions.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 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 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
