trifecta

noun

tri·​fec·​ta trī-ˈfek-tə How to pronounce trifecta (audio)
ˈtrī-ˌfek-
1
: triple sense 1b
achieved a show-business trifecta : a platinum record, hit TV series, and an Oscar
2
: a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish

Did you know?

Where does trifecta come from?

Trifecta is a recent addition to the English language. It first appeared in the early 1970s as a term for a horse-racing bet in which the first, second, and third place finishers are chosen in the correct order.

The word has since broadened in meaning: it can now also refer to a group of three (usually desirable) things (such as “the trifecta of curing cancer, ending hunger, and putting an end to war"). It is found in everything from advertisements to media company names to casual speech.

Trifecta combines the prefix tri- (meaning “three”) with the last element in perfecta, a word of American Spanish origin that refers to a horse-racing bet in which the first- and second-place finishers are chosen correctly.

Examples of trifecta in a Sentence

that summertime trifecta for meteorologically induced misery: hazy, hot, and humid
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With a clean ring pattern in a range of sophisticated colors, these sets achieve a summer-ready trifecta: crisp, cool, and utterly transportive. Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025 Other business tax breaks are in the Senate text as well, including a trifecta of changes from 2017 that had already expired and were the subject of tax legislation that was voted down last year. Tobias Burns, The Hill, 16 June 2025 Adidas Ultraboost 21: $180 With responsive cushioning and a snug fit, the Adidas Ultraboost 21 at Nordstrom offers the sneaker trifecta: comfort, style and support, all suitable for long walks or runs or more casual outings. Jené Luciani Sena May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025 This evolution from supporter to collaborator to catalyst represents marketing’s holy trifecta: a self-sustaining biosphere where every transaction spawns multiple points of value. Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trifecta

Word History

Etymology

tri- + perfecta

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of trifecta was in 1971

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Cite this Entry

“Trifecta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifecta. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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