hat trick
noun
People
Did you know?
It may surprise some people to learn that the term "hat trick" as it relates to sports actually originated in British cricket. A bowler who retired three batsmen with three consecutive balls was entitled to a new hat at the expense of the club to commemorate this feat. Eventually, the phrase was applied to a single player scoring three goals in any goal sport and later to three victories or successes in sports as different as horse racing and golf. The phrase finally broadened to include a string of three important successes or achievements in any field.
Examples of hat trick in a Sentence
Brian Roach, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Jaiden Ilginis made quite an entrance last spring for Tinley Park, recording a hat trick in her first game as a freshman.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
The Detroit Lions notably did the hat trick of wide receiver first-rounders from 2003 to 2005 to mixed results.
—Mike Kaye
april 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
Baribo became the third MLS player with at least three regular-season hat tricks since the 2024 season, joining Sam Surridge and Denis Bouanga.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hat trick
Cite this Entry
“Hat trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat%20trick. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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