infraction
Americannoun
-
infractions
plural
-
breach; violation; infringement.
an infraction of the rules.
-
Medicine/Medical. an incomplete fracture of a bone.
Synonym Usage
See breach.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of infraction
First recorded in 1615–25, infraction is from the Latin word infrāctiōn- (stem of infrāctiō ). See infract, -ion
Explanation
When you break school rules about gum chewing, you commit an infraction. An infraction is a petty crime or a minor breaking of rules. When you think of the word infraction, think that your offence has just crossed the line into wrong. Something like a parking ticket is an infraction. When you commit an infraction, you're not knee deep in wrong, you've just dipped your toe into wrong to see what it feels like. A misdemeanor is a more serious crime such as theft, and murder is considered a felony, the most serious of crimes.
Vocabulary lists containing infraction
The Giver
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Give Me a Break!: Fract and Frag
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Tangerine
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He was additionally charged with the infraction of making an unlawful turn, according to Napa County Dist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
But Mr. Trump called on his experience as a TV sports viewer to declare that he didn’t think Mr. Balogun’s infraction “was a foul” at all, and “I’m good at this stuff.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
In other words, faculty can be fired for whatever infraction the school’s governing board decides is a fireable one.
From Salon ● Jun. 20, 2026
But a car either complies or it does not, no matter how infinitesimal the infraction.
From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025
I accrued last night’s infraction because my last clean blouse was the wrong color; it’s not as if I’ve magically acquired more white ones since then.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Those caught breaking the law face fixed penalty notices of £200 for a minor breach and criminal prosecution for more serious infractions.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Fines for such infractions in West Newport Beach and the Peninsula — dubbed safety enhancement zones — will be tripled from July 3 through July 6.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026
The new policy means instructors will be present during exams and will document any infractions they observe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
And EPA data shows that its pattern of reported infractions has continued in recent years.
From Salon ● May 10, 2026
Bratton turned the transit police into an organization focused on the smallest infractions, on the details of life underground.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
