hat trick

noun

1
: the scoring of three goals in one game (as of hockey or soccer) by a single player
2
: the dismissing (see dismiss sense 4) of three batsmen with three consecutive balls by a bowler in cricket
3
: a series of three victories, successes, or related accomplishments
scored a hat trick when her three best steers corralled top honorsPeople

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

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.
Marchenko’s hat trick on Saturday was the fourth of his career, placing him third on the franchise’s all-time list. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Then Marchenko completed the hat trick with the Blue Jackets on a two-man advantage of their own, sending much of the crowd home disappointed. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 Cardwell had a hat trick, with all of his goals assisted by Regenda, who also assisted on a goal by Afanasyev as the Sharks improved to 2-3-0 this preseason. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2025 Tiago Rodrigues netted a hat trick, while Austin Raposo and Gavin DaSilva buried two goals each and goalie Elijah McGonigle earned his fifth clean sheet as Westport (7-0-0) rolled to an 11-0 Mayflower Athletic Conference win over Avon. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hat trick

Word History

Etymology

probably from the former practice of rewarding the feat with the gift of a hat

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hat trick was in 1869

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Cite this Entry

“Hat trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat%20trick. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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