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

SHINee's grand 10-year anniversary comeback keeps getting grander with a rare hat trick on the charts this week. — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, "SHINee Score Rare Double Appearance on World Albums Chart," 20 June 2018 His natural hat trick was the second in the past seven games for San Diego, following the first in club history by Corey Tropp on Jan. 3 at Texas in a span of 3:32 in the second period. — Union-tribune, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fiore hat trick helps Gulls rally from 3-0 deficit to beat Tucson," 18 Jan. 2018 Midfielder Connor DeSimone was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after the second hat trick of his career in Saturday’s 15-13 win against then-No. — Edward Lee, baltimoresun.com, "The week ahead for state men's lacrosse teams (March 29)," 29 Mar. 2018 Yussuf Poulsen scored a hat trick as Leipzig routed Hertha Berlin 5-0 in the late game to consolidate third. — Ciaran Fahey, The Seattle Times, "Bayern held to draw, Dortmund seizes Bundesliga lead," 30 Mar. 2019 Tiffey scored in 11 of his 12 games and had hat tricks in eight of them. — Tim Schwartz, Howard County Times, "Howard senior Felix Knorr faces off as boys lacrosse Player of the Year," 13 June 2018 Deanna Balsama scored a hat trick to lead Washington Township to a 15-5 win against Atlantic City in South Group 4 action. — Lauren Green, Philly.com, "Monday's South Jersey roundup: Cinnaminson opens girls' lacrosse playoffs with win over Robbinsville," 14 May 2018 Marlborough 15, Oakmont 5 — Dominic Carter scored six times and Devin Raun added a hat trick to lead the visiting Panthers (2-0). — Katherine Fominykh, BostonGlobe.com, "Abington softball makes short work of Middleboro," 6 Apr. 2018 Adam Hauptman of Marjory Stoneman Douglas recorded a hat trick to lead the team, while Matthew Hauptman and Matthew Horowitz contributed two goals each. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wins Hockey State Championship," 25 Feb. 2018

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.