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
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Gavin Biggins shouldered the load offensively with four goals, while Brayden Rau (hat trick) sniped the game-ending tally as Rockland knocked off South Shore League foe East Bridgewater in overtime, 9-8.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Messi scored in the 24th and 55th minutes, and was credited with a third goal in the 89th, but it was later ruled an own goal by Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, nixing the apparent Messi hat trick.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Messi appeared to have a hat trick in the 89th minute when his shot went off the post and deflected off Celentano, but it was corrected to an own goal shortly after the match.
—ABC News, 13 May 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 18 May. 2026.
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