hat trick

noun

Definition of hat trick

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 honors — People

Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about hat trick

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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

Sure, Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick in the final back in 2015. — Sean Gregory, Time, "Soccer Star Megan Rapinoe Is Fearless in the Face of France—and Trump. It's Her World Cup Now," 28 June 2019 The last time the Americans played on the world’s biggest stage, Lloyd had a hat trick in the first 16 minutes and the United States beat Japan 5-2 in Canada for the trophy. — Anne M. Peterson, The Denver Post, "Colorado’s Mallory Pugh, Lindsay Horan score in U.S. women’s national team’s rout of Thailand in FIFA Women’s World Cup," 11 June 2019 The last time the Americans played on the world’s biggest stage, Lloyd had a hat trick in the first 16 minutes and the United States beat Japan 5-2 in Canada for the trophy. — Washington Post, "U.S. women’s team starts World Cup with a record-setting rout," 11 June 2019 The Americans emphatically beat Japan 5-2 to win in Canada, highlighted by Carli Lloyd’s hat trick. — Anne M. Peterson, BostonGlobe.com, "US faces difficult challenge in quarterfinal vs. host France," 27 June 2019 Luca Waldschmidt's hat trick propelled them to six points and sent a serious message to the rest of the teams in the competition, while Serbia are still winless and face imminent elimination. — SI.com, "UEFA European Under-21 Championship Roundup: Germany Demolish Serbia & Denmark Earn First Points," 21 June 2019 In one of the most exciting games in women’s soccer history, Sinclair had netted a hat trick in the semifinals against the powerhouse United States, forcing the game into extra time before Canada ultimately succumbed 4-3. — Jamie Goldberg, oregonlive.com, "Goal scoring record secondary as Christine Sinclair focuses on leading Canada to World Cup success," 4 June 2019 The buzz: Unbeaten and with a +6 goal differential, Italy is already through to the second round, thanks in part to Cristiana Girelli’s hat trick against Jamaica. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Women’s World Cup on TV: Australia looks to improve its chances of advancing," 17 June 2019 The winner of the game will play Portugal in the final on June 9, after Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick led the host nation by Switzerland on Wednesday. — Emily Caron, SI.com, "Netherlands vs. England Live Stream, TV Channel: How to Watch Nations League," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hat trick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.