infraction

[in-frak-shuhn]

noun

1. breach; violation; infringement.

   an infraction of the rules.

2. Medicine/Medical.,  an incomplete fracture of a bone.

Other Word Forms

• noninfraction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infraction¹

First recorded in 1615–25, infraction is from the Latin word infrāctiōn- (stem of infrāctiō ). See infract, -ion

Synonym Study

See breach.

Example Sentences

From this perspective, the fight over the Johnson Amendment is no longer about hypothetical infractions but about whether tax-exempt status for churches and religious organizations is, in effect, subsidizing a specific political movement.

Read more on Salon

Giving the attacking team an almost guaranteed goal for something can be a really minor infraction by the defender is wildly disproportionate.

Read more on BBC

But we see every time there’s an infraction, skirmishes or short-term war there is a spike in antisemitism around the world.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Also under exploration were ideas to limit fines in poorer communities and end stops for minor infractions, such as expired tags or air fresheners hanging from the rearview mirror.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As a collective they are cruel, taunting and beating the hostages, denying them food for the slightest infraction.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• breach 
• crime 
• error 
• infringement 
• lapse 
• offense 
• sin 
• transgression