technical foul

noun

basketball

: a foul that is assessed to a player, coach, or team typically for unsportsmanlike conduct (such as arguing with an official or taunting an opponent) and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent while the ball is in play

called also technical

compare personal foul

Examples of technical 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.

The official — appearing to think the motion was directed at him — called the first technical foul. —

Alex Andrejev, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025 The chippy game ended with a total of five technical fouls and 63 free throw attempts. —

Chantz Martin, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 But Reese dropped a reverse layup and set the stage for Cronin’s double technical fouls and ejection. —

Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025 Sacramento’s frustration started to show midway through the third quarter when Fox was whistled for two personal fouls and a technical foul in a span of five seconds. —

Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for technical foul

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of technical foul was in 1896

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Technical foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technical%20foul. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

Copy Citation