# infringement

/ˌɪnˈfɹɪndʒmənt/ (US) · /ɪnfɹˈɪndʒmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infringement
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. breaking a law or rule

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: a violation or breach of a law, regulation, or contractual agreement.

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

### 2. violating a right

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- The company faced a lawsuit for copyright infringement.
- The new security cameras were criticized by local residents as an infringement of their personal privacy.
- Legal scholars argue whether the proposed surveillance legislation constitutes a necessary security measure or an unjustifiable infringement upon the fundamental right to free assembly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.