hat trick

noun

|Updated on: 18 Aug 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

Portugal started group play with thrilling comeback to tie 3-3 against Spain, with Ronaldo notching a hat trick and punching in the tying goal in the 88th minute.

— julia poe, SI.com, "How to Watch Uruguay vs. Portugal: World Cup Live Stream, TV Channel, Time," 30 June 2018
Salisbury 16, Denison 4: Dana King had a hat trick and the host Sea Gulls (20-1) beat the Big Red (17-3) in NCAA Division III quarterfinal.

— baltimoresun.com, "College lacrosse roundup (May 19): Albany men top Denver in quarterfinals," 19 May 2018
Demek produced a hat trick and Ryan recorded eight saves for Mt. Hebron, which advances to the 3A East region title game Wednesday night against Chesapeake from Anne Arundel County.

— kyle mcfadden, Howard County Times, "Mt. Hebron girls lacrosse advances to region final with win over rival Centennial," 15 May 2018
Devin Rybacki tallied a hat trick and Brynn Eilbacher and Kate Walsh posted multi-goal games in the visitors’ win.

— lauren green, Philly.com, "Monday's South Jersey roundup: Jon Storz's walk-off hit lifts Egg Harbor over Ocean City," 8 May 2018
Duclair, 22, still owns the only Coyotes hat trick this season (Nov. 18 vs. Ottawa) and had displayed the skills to be a useful offensive player.

— richard morin, azcentral, "For Arizona Coyotes forward Richard Panik, it's all about the finish," 16 Mar. 2018
The sophomore forward racked up eight points on a hat trick and two assists in a 7-0 win over Dawson, and had one goal and one assist in a 3-0 victory against Hastings.

— adam coleman, Houston Chronicle, "High school Athletes of the Week: March 5," 5 Mar. 2018
The Three Lions have cruised to the knockout stages and captain Harry Kane is leading the scoring at the tournament so far with five goals, including a hat trick.

— Washington Post, "Rush is on for England fans heading to Russia," 25 June 2018
Caroline Lampert had a hat trick for the Warriors, all three of her goals coming in the second half – her final tally part of a 7-0 run for Wayland that removed all suspense from the final outcome.

— jake levin, BostonGlobe.com, "Sydney Scales, Audra Tosone (five goals apiece) lead undefeated Walpole in lacrosse," 14 June 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

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hat trick

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