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.

---

Etymology

Origin of technical foul

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The Fever reportedly plan to appeal the 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

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

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

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan