hat trick

noun

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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 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

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Recent Examples of hat trick from the Web

But Techera completed the hat trick in the 74th minute off a pass from striker Yordy Reyna.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Revolution squander lead, settle for tie with Whitecaps," 27 May 2018
Armenteros had opportunities to score the hat trick in the match, but failed to put away some chances in the second half.

— jamie goldberg, OregonLive.com, "Samuel Armenteros scores twice to lead Portland Timbers to 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids," 26 May 2018
Also, there is talk that the third installment has been pitched, so keep your fingers crossed for the sisterhood full hat trick.

— tara paniogue, latimes.com, "10 films and TV series to help get summer started right this holiday weekend," 25 May 2018
Freshman Emily Walsh won Friday's 3,200 and Saturday's 1,600 and 800, holding off a challenge from South's Ava Earl in the 1,600 to win by eight-tenths of a second to complete the hat trick.

— beth bragg, Anchorage Daily News, "At CIC track championships, the action was hot even if the weather wasn’t," 20 May 2018
After Mohan completed the hat trick and an Eisenhower own goal made it 5-0, Maddie Belo and Cassie Kowalski closed out the scoring.

— steve millar, Elgin Courier-News, "Iowa recruit Hailey Ryberg's goal and assist leads St. Charles North to PepsiCo Showdown title," 24 Apr. 2018
About 12 minutes later Guentzel secured the natural hat trick, but wasn’t quite finished yet.

— kristen nelson, SI.com, "Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup: Jake Guentzel Scores Four Goals, Pens Move on to Second Round," 22 Apr. 2018
Grapevine senior midfielder Sophia Smith completed the hat trick with 72 seconds left to lead the Mustangs past San Antonio Alamo Heights 4-3 in a UIL Class 5A state semifinal Thursday at Georgetown.

— eric zarate, star-telegram, "Late goal by Sophia Smith lifts Grapevine girls to UIL Class 5A soccer final | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 Apr. 2018
Though the rodents were gone, Tommy Fats completed the bad inspection hat trick by failing the March 14 inspection on roaches.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Rodents on water, in soda, on pipes get 13 South Florida restaurants cited. | Miami Herald," 30 Mar. 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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of hat trick

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1869

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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HAT TRICK Defined for English Language Learners

hat trick

noun

Definition of hat trick for English Language Learners

: three goals scored by one player in a game of ice hockey, soccer, etc.

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hat trick

Definition of hat trick

hat trick was our Word of the Day on 04/16/2015. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of hat trick from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of hat trick

HAT TRICK Defined for English Language Learners

hat trick

Definition of hat trick for English Language Learners

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hat trick

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hat trick was our Word of the Day on 04/16/2015. Hear the podcast!

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Origin and Etymology of hat trick

HAT TRICK Defined for English Language Learners

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