What does "infringement" mean?

1. (breaking a law or rule) the act of breaking a law, a rule, or an official agreement. 2. (violating a right) the act of limiting or taking away someone's rights, such as their privacy or their property.

How do you use "infringement"?

Often followed by the preposition 'of'. Commonly used with 'on' or 'upon' when referring to rights or privacy.

infringement

US //ˌɪnˈfɹɪndʒmənt// UK //ɪnfɹˈɪndʒmənt// in·fringe·ment

1 breaking a law or rule (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the act of breaking a law, a rule, or an official agreement.

a violation or breach of a law, regulation, or contractual agreement.

Example

The company faced a large fine for its infringement of safety regulations.

Example

The court ruled that the sudden change in policy constituted a clear infringement of the existing labour laws.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
- compliance
- observance
2 violating a right (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the act of limiting or taking away someone's rights, such as their privacy or their property.

an encroachment on a person's legal rights, territory, or property, particularly intellectual property.

Example

Using that photo without permission is an infringement of the photographer's copyright.

Example

The proposed surveillance measures were criticised by civil liberties groups as an unnecessary infringement on personal privacy.

Usage

Commonly used with 'on' or 'upon' when referring to rights or privacy.
- protection
- upholding

Origin

From infringe + -ment.