technical foul

noun

basketball

: a foul that is assessed to a player, coach, or team typically for unsportsmanlike conduct (such as arguing with an official or taunting an opponent) and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent while the ball is in play

called also technical

compare personal foul

Examples of technical foul in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rivers was handed a technical foul as well for her part in the exchange. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

The Fever have previously appealed Clark’s technical fouls, but if this one is not rescinded, she’ll be tied with Mercury guard Kahleah Copper for the second-most technical fouls in the WNBA this season. — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Caitlin Clark took a hit to the face, received a technical foul that could lead to a hefty fine, and still came away with a win and first place in the Eastern Conference on Saturday. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026

Clark was called for a technical foul in the opening moments after a no-call on a hard screen set by Jonquel Jones that knocked the All-Star guard to the ground. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for technical foul

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• waterfowl