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

• breach
• contravention
• infraction
• transgression
• trespass
• 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

It was framed as a copyright infringement lawsuit, rather than a battle over ownership due to a three-year statute of limitations that was maxed out multiple times over because Country Grammar was released 24 years ago. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025

The bill includes a notice-and-takedown provision, similar to existing regulation of online copyright infringement. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025

In another form of IP infringement, counterfeit products can put the health and life of Americans at risk. —Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

The images are unlikely to be mistaken for one another, a key aspect of trademark infringement, Seeger wrote. —Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

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.