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
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.
Sam Reinhart, who scored the Game 7 winner last June, scored four goals (two empty-netters) for the first playoff hat trick in Panthers history. Michael Russo, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Had a hat trick in state semifinal loss to Ponte Vedra. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025 Dittmer, though, took the pressure off by completing her hat trick, converting a 25-yard shot with 18:11 to go. Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 More heroics followed from Rantanen in game one (a hat trick in a 3-2 win) and game three (one goal and two assists in a 5-2 win) to help give Dallas the edge in the series ahead of a pivotal game four at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday night. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hat trick

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

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Cite this Entry

“Hat trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hat%20trick. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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