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
CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
Perhaps the only surprise is that Messi didn’t score any of the five, with Tadeo Allende (hat trick), Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia finding the back of the net at an elated Chase Stadium.
—Avi Creditor, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025
Allende completed the hat trick in the 89th minute and equalled a new MLS record with his eighth playoff goal.
—Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
The 6-foot-1 striker scored in his first MLS start, followed it with a hat trick against Eastern Conference leader Philadelphia and finished his mini-MLS season with seven goals and two assists in just six starts.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025
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 7 Dec. 2025.
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