Real Dictionary

technical foul in American English
in certain team games, esp. basketball, a foul other than a personal foul charged against a player, a team, or a coach, usually for misconduct or a rule infraction not involving active play
noun: 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

technical foul in British English
noun: a foul awarded for an offence, such as unsporting conduct, that does not involve physical contact with an opponent