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 honors

—People

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

Ovechkin recorded his 32nd career hat trick Sunday in the Washington Capitals 7-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. —Wayne Sterling, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025

Senior Nathan Thurlow notched a hat trick for the Bears, and junior Mateo Sosnik bagged M-A’s other goal. —Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2025

Smith finished the game with a hat trick while Jack Christ scored twice and Uhlenkamp scored to win 7-1. —Todd Abeln, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts each had a hat trick. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 28 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for hat trick

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• picnic
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick

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