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infraction

in-FRAK-shuhn /ɪnˈfrækʃən/

nounB2SATACT

formallegal

A violation or infringement of a law, agreement, or set of rules.

Often refers to minor or technical violations of rules, though it can be used in legal contexts for non-criminal offenses.

The story behind the word. The Latin root 'frangere' means 'to break' (the same root that gives us 'fracture' and 'fragment'). An infraction is literally a 'breaking into' the established boundaries of a rule.

Word relationships

violation: Violation can apply to very serious crimes or human rights breaches, whereas infraction is typically reserved for rules, codes, and minor laws.
breach: Breach is often used for contracts, trust, or security, while infraction is used for specific written rules or regulations.

compliance: Compliance is the act of obeying rules, whereas an infraction is the act of breaking them.

Commonly confused with

fraction: A fraction is a part of a whole number, while an infraction is a broken rule.

Word family

infringe (verb): To actively break the terms of a law or agreement.

Collocations

minor infraction
rule infraction
commit an infraction

Example sentences

"Stepping out of bounds is a minor infraction that results in a loss of possession." Sports rule violation
"The player was fined after committing a serious infraction of the league's code of conduct." League disciplinary action

Memory hook

An infraction is like a 'fracture' in the rules. A fracture in the rules.

When not to use

Do not use for major criminal acts like murder or grand theft; 'crime' or 'felony' is appropriate there.

Fun facts

In the NBA, a 'technical foul' is a specific type of infraction that doesn't involve physical contact but rather unsportsmanlike behavior or administrative errors.