trifecta

noun

tri·​fec·​ta trī-ˈfek-tə How to pronounce trifecta (audio)
ˈtrī-ˌfek-
1
: triple sense 1b
achieved a show-business trifecta : a platinum record, hit TV series, and an Oscar
2
: a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish

Did you know?

Where does trifecta come from?

Trifecta is a recent addition to the English language. It first appeared in the early 1970s as a term for a horse-racing bet in which the first, second, and third place finishers are chosen in the correct order.

The word has since broadened in meaning: it can now also refer to a group of three (usually desirable) things (such as “the trifecta of curing cancer, ending hunger, and putting an end to war"). It is found in everything from advertisements to media company names to casual speech.

Trifecta combines the prefix tri- (meaning “three”) with the last element in perfecta, a word of American Spanish origin that refers to a horse-racing bet in which the first- and second-place finishers are chosen correctly.

Examples of trifecta in a Sentence

that summertime trifecta for meteorologically induced misery: hazy, hot, and humid
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.
Republicans control a trifecta in Washington — the House, Senate and White House — meaning that blaming Democrats for a shutdown could be a hard sell. Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025 Minnesota, however, already passed an array of far-reaching gun control measures in recent years, thanks largely to a Democratic trifecta controlling the state House, Senate, and governorship. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025 Get the recipe > Employing the trifecta of corn, squash, and beans, this hearty stew is the perfect way to use up the most abundant ingredients at your local farmers market. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025 The Novice somehow manages to capture the obsessiveness of athletic competition, friendship envy, and lesbianism all in one movie — a perfect trifecta. Ana Osorno, Them., 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trifecta

Word History

Etymology

tri- + perfecta

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trifecta was in 1971

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trifecta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifecta. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trifecta

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!