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

For the second time in less than a week, Luka Doncic faces a one-game suspension because of technical foul accumulation.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

The NBA rescinded Doncic’s 16th technical foul, the league announced Sunday, allowing Doncic to avoid a mandatory one-game suspension that would have kept him out of Monday’s game against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

Not even the NBA’s technical foul rule can slow Luka Doncic down.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

He is one technical foul behind league leader Dillon Brooks.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

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

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan