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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

technical foul

And if he’s not toeing the line on a late-season suspension triggered by a 16th technical foul, his antics probably wouldn’t bother Lakers fans, either.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

Meanwhile, Fever star Caitlin Clark will avoid a one-match suspension after a technical foul called on her during the third quarter was rescinded after the match.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

The technical foul - called when Clark ran into an official after making a pass having been bumped by a defender - would have been her eighth of the season, which triggers an automatic suspension.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

I went to the free-throw line to shoot my technical foul.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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