infringement
ihn-FRIHNJ-muhnt
Infringement (noun) means a violation of a law or someone's legal rights. Example: “Selling the fake handbags was a clear infringement of the trademark.”
noun
1
A violation of a law or someone's legal rights.
"Selling the fake handbags was a clear infringement of the trademark."
"The court fined the company for copyright infringement."
"Copying the whole article without permission could be seen as an infringement of the author's rights."
"Georgia, ranked 16th in the world, dominated the breakdown before half-time and forced England into a host of infringements, but fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili missed three penalties."
— Ben Dirs, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 41-10 Georgia (2011)
How to use infringement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBreaking a law or right, most often used about copyright, patents, or trademarks.
Common pairings
copyright infringement
patent infringement
infringement of rights
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Word forms
- Plural
- infringements
Fill the gap
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Selling the fake handbags was a clear _____ of the trademark.
Etymology
From "infringe" + the noun-forming suffix "-ment."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for infringement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for infringement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “infringement” mean?
The word “infringement” means a violation of a law or someone's legal rights. In plain terms, breaking a law or right, most often used about copyright, patents, or trademarks.
How do you pronounce “infringement”?
“Infringement” is pronounced ihn-FRIHNJ-muhnt (/ɪnˈfɹɪnd͡ʒmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “infringement” in a sentence?
Here is “infringement” used in a sentence: “Selling the fake handbags was a clear infringement of the trademark.”
What part of speech is “infringement”?
“Infringement” is a noun.
Is “infringement” a common word?
“Infringement” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "infringement" and "violation"?
"Infringement" specifically refers to the violation of a law or someone's legal rights, and is especially common in contexts like copyright or patent infringement. "Violation" is broader and can apply to breaking rules, laws, or agreements in general, not just legal rights.
What is the difference between "copyright infringement" and "plagiarism"?
Copyright infringement is a legal violation of someone's exclusive rights over their creative work, such as copying and distributing it without permission. Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, which is an ethical or academic offense that may or may not also involve legal infringement.
Is "infringement" only used in legal contexts?
"Infringement" is used almost exclusively in legal or formal contexts, especially regarding intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights. It is rarely used casually to describe minor rule-breaking.
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