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

Presnell in his April 9 order rebuked Florida Virtual School for its pursuit of nationwide damages, writing that its lawyers had presented no proof that the school had suffered financial harm, an essential element of trademark infringement cases. —Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026

Trademark infringement claims could be used to argue AI content is confusingly similar, which is generally prohibited by trademark law. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2026

In doing so, the generic company seeks to avoid lawsuits claiming patent infringement. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026

Universal and Sony both still have active copyright infringement suits against the company. —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 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.