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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
Hali Smith
may 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 May 2026
Those who commit a traffic infraction are permitted under the law to drive to a nearby police station and appear right away before a city judge there.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026
Still, enforcement remained active, with 60 vehicles and two motorcycles towed and impounded for violations ranging from traffic infractions to reckless driving.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The penalty boxes at the Tsongas Center were a revolving door, as six infractions were called amid a physical start from both teams.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 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 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infraction
noun
