personal foul

noun

: a foul in a game (such as basketball) involving usually physical contact with or deliberate roughing of an opponent compare technical foul

Examples of personal foul in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025 The Minutemen committed a personal foul on a tackle and Farfan soon hit Moody on a 9-yard pass. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 As reported by the press, the game featured multiple other unsportsmanlike infractions by both teams, including shoving, punching and personal fouls. Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025 The takeaway came one play after the Cowboys’ drive was extended by a personal foul on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship on a third-and-22. The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for personal foul

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personal foul was circa 1829

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Cite this Entry

“Personal foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20foul. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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