technical foul

American  

noun

Basketball.

1. a foul committed by a player or coach, usually not involving physical contact with an opponent, called often for unsportsmanlike conduct, as holding on to the basket or using profanity, that gives the opposing team one or two free throws and sometimes, if the foul was flagrant, requires the ejection of the offending player or coach from the game.

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Etymology

Origin of technical foul

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

technical foul

Caitlin Clark was one of five players to receive a technical foul following an altercation with DeWanna Bonner.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

None of the previous occasions resulted in Clark receiving a technical foul.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

Clark appeared flabbergasted when she learned she received a technical foul for clapping while her teammate Myisha Hines-Allen and the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas were in each other’s faces.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

Luka Doncic won’t play for the Lakers against the Wizards on Monday night because of a one-game suspension he received for his 16th technical foul.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2026

The ref blew the whistle again, calling a technical foul.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan