technical foul

American

noun

Basketball.

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He has received only one technical foul, which is considered good for him.

From Los Angeles Times

NBA rules deliver an automatic suspension to any player or coach once he receives a 16th technical foul during any regular season.

From Barron's

The emotions twice resulted in technical fouls against Brentwood players for taunting.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite picking up three fouls in the half and getting hit with a technical foul in the first quarter, Doncic had 18 points and five assists in the first 24 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023