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.

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Etymology

Origin of technical foul

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Doncic, who was suspended for Monday’s game against the Washington Wizards because of technical foul accumulation, had his league-leading 16th 40-point game.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Doncic picked up his first 16th technical foul last week against the Orlando Magic after getting into an argument with Orlando forward Goga Bitadze.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Only a week after Luka Doncic’s 16th technical foul was rescinded by the NBA, the Lakers superstar picked up another one in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Luka Doncic received his 15th technical foul of the season in the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets, putting him one technical away from a one-game suspension.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

The ref blew the whistle again, calling a technical foul.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan