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.

The only starter who did not find the basket was fifth-year senior small forward Selton Miguel, who missed all four of his shots — including two from 3-point range — and finished with as many assists (one) as personal fouls. —

Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 2024 DiVincenzo had five personal fouls before drawing the game-swinging offensive foul. —

Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 May 2024 Louisville committed a personal foul penalty on a 1-yard reception by Mosley to set up a 57-yard field goal attempt with one second left. —

Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 The scrimmage last week included a few turnovers, Rhule said, in addition to personal fouls committed by the offense. —

Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 14 Aug. 2024 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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Personal foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20foul. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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