hat trick

noun

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 honorsPeople

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 Marques finished his hat trick to secure the monumental road win. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2024 The scoring binge the league has been on the last few seasons spread to Minnesota, with hat tricks for Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov in a six-point game for each player that matched Marian Gaborik's franchise mark. Dave Campbell, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Not another repeater, but this week’s Wayne Gretzky Award winner for a hat trick of inspection failures. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2024 Ranger Artemi Panarin pulled off his second three-goal hat trick of the season? Melvin Backman, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2024 Blake Goins Granite Hills Boys soccer The senior scored a hat trick in a 4-1 victory over Mount Miguel. Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2024 Rosa had a hat trick in the Lancers’ first two playoff games and fell a goal shy of one against Mitty. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 Here were the other statistical marvels Monday at Xcel Energy Center: — Canucks center J.T. Miller had a hat trick himself. Dave Campbell, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 The once-formidable defense couldn’t stop the Packers offense, giving up a hat trick (three touchdowns) to running back Aaron Jones. Trisha Garcia-Easto, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hat trick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of hat trick was in 1869

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near hat trick

Cite this Entry

“Hat trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat%20trick. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!