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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Matthew Wilson ran for 5 yards and a personal foul penalty against the Cougars gave the Wildcats the ball on the 15-yard line. 
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Corona del Mar had a chance to cut further into the Tritons’ lead after a personal foul penalty on a kickoff gave the Sea Kings great field position with time on their side. Devin Ugland, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 The hand motion has been ruled a personal foul penalty by the Big 12 in the offseason and could cost the Tide 15-yards on Saturday. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The defensive player who commits the foul will be assessed a common personal foul. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2022 The drive stalled just past midfield, but New Mexico State made a critical personal foul on a third-down incompletion. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021 Grant Williams appeared to draw a fifth personal foul on the Greek Freak on a drive with 10:16 to go. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2022 With the Golden Gophers driving deep into Maryland territory, senior defensive lineman Ami Finau was called for a personal foul, which gave Minnesota a first-and-10 at the Terps’ 16-yard line. Ryan Mcfadden, baltimoresun.com, 23 Oct. 2021 Two technical fouls and one horrific personal foul in the last 70 seconds of overtime had exerted an outsized influence on the outcome of a game the Tar Heels won, 90-83. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 4 Feb. 2022 See More
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Corona del Mar had a chance to cut further into the Tritons’ lead after a personal foul penalty on a kickoff gave the Sea Kings great field position with time on their side. Devin Ugland, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 The hand motion has been ruled a personal foul penalty by the Big 12 in the offseason and could cost the Tide 15-yards on Saturday. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The defensive player who commits the foul will be assessed a common personal foul. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2022 The drive stalled just past midfield, but New Mexico State made a critical personal foul on a third-down incompletion. San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2021 Grant Williams appeared to draw a fifth personal foul on the Greek Freak on a drive with 10:16 to go. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2022 With the Golden Gophers driving deep into Maryland territory, senior defensive lineman Ami Finau was called for a personal foul, which gave Minnesota a first-and-10 at the Terps’ 16-yard line. Ryan Mcfadden, baltimoresun.com, 23 Oct. 2021 Two technical fouls and one horrific personal foul in the last 70 seconds of overtime had exerted an outsized influence on the outcome of a game the Tar Heels won, 90-83. Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, 4 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1829, in the meaning defined above