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hat trick

noun

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 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 honors — People
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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

 Attackman Colin Heacock and midfielder Brendan Bomberry both had hat tricks for Chesapeake (8-5), which fell, 14-13, to the Dallas Rattlers on Sunday. — Baltimore Sun Staff, baltimoresun.com, "Randallstown’s Marvin Reese wins Fishing League Worldwide event on Potomac River," 25 Aug. 2019 That includes Carli Lloyd, now used as a super sub, who had a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Japan in the final. — Frank Dell’apa, BostonGlobe.com, "US experience will count in Women’s World Cup final," 6 July 2019 The last time the Americans played on the world's biggest stage, Lloyd had a hat trick in the first 16 minutes and the United States beat Japan 5-2 in Canada for the trophy. — Anne M. Peterson, chicagotribune.com, "Alex Morgan ties World Cup mark with 5 goals as the U.S. blows out Thailand for record-setting 13-0 win," 11 June 2019 The last time the Americans played on the world's biggest stage, Lloyd had a hat trick in the first 16 minutes and the United States beat Japan 5-2 in Canada for the trophy. — Anne M. Peterson, Anchorage Daily News, "US women open World Cup defense with record-setting 13-0 rout of Thailand," 11 June 2019 Madi McKee and Kathryn Toohey each recorded hat tricks for the Jaguars. — Tom Ignudo, https://www.inquirer.com, "Tuesday’s Southeastern Pa. roundup: Danny Mallee’s double OT goal lifts the La Salle lacrosse team past Garnet Valley in PIAA Class 3A playoffs," 4 June 2019 Ella Champingy, Emma DiPatri and Abigail Evans each added a hat trick for the Wolverines. — Lauren Green, Philly.com, "Friday's South Jersey roundup: Woodstown girls' lacrosse wins South Group 1 championship," 25 May 2018 Wolves' victory was an epic 4-3, won in the dying moments by Jota, who scored an incredible hat trick on the day. — SI.com, "Leicester vs Wolves Preview: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News," 8 Aug. 2019 Call it a hat trick—biotech giant Genentech announced three separate deals in a single day. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "Genentech’s Deal Spree: Brainstorm Health," 16 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of hat trick

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for hat trick

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

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More Definitions for hat trick

hat trick

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hat trick

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

See the full definition for hat trick in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on hat trick

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hat trick

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