evil practice; corrupt custom; abusive practice
A formal, somewhat literary term for a harmful or corrupt custom or practice, often used in social or institutional criticism.
In that company, bribery had taken root as a corrupt practice.
To correct the evil practices in politics, institutional reform is necessary.
Compound of 弊 (へい, 'evil, harmful') and 風 (ふう, 'custom, practice'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination directly conveys 'harmful custom'.