personal foul

noun

: a foul in a game (such as basketball) involving usually physical contact with or deliberate roughing of an opponent compare technical foul

Examples of personal 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.
Second-round edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku had a career-high four tackles against Green Bay but also had a costly personal foul. Josh Kendall, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 That’s Talanoa Hufanga committing a personal foul to jumpstart the touchdown drive. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025 On the first of the Dons’ three consecutive touchdown drives, the Comanches committed a 15-yard personal foul penalty on a third-and-7 play that would have gone for a 2-yard loss. Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 The Minutemen committed a personal foul on a tackle and Farfan soon hit Moody on a 9-yard pass. Tris Wykes, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for personal foul

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personal foul was circa 1829

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Cite this Entry

“Personal foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20foul. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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