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
As reported by the press, the game featured multiple other unsportsmanlike infractions by both teams, including shoving, punching and personal fouls.
—
Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
The takeaway came one play after the Cowboys’ drive was extended by a personal foul on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship on a third-and-22.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Aided by a personal foul penalty against Red Oak on third down, Andrews connected with Smith on a 30-yard scoring strike, 45 seconds left before halftime.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
The teams combined for more than 200 yards in penalties, some of them personal fouls and unsportsmanlike penalty infractions.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for personal foul
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.
Ron Mix, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2025
The takeaway came one play after the Cowboys’ drive was extended by a personal foul on Eagles safety Reed Blankenship on a third-and-22.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Aided by a personal foul penalty against Red Oak on third down, Andrews connected with Smith on a 30-yard scoring strike, 45 seconds left before halftime.
—Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
The teams combined for more than 200 yards in penalties, some of them personal fouls and unsportsmanlike penalty infractions.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for personal foul
Cite this Entry
“Personal foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20foul. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share