trifecta
noun
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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.
Synonyms
Examples of trifecta in a Sentence
Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024
Supergoop's provides my ideal trifecta: coverage but not too much, no orange hands (key), and a little hint of dewy glow.
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 19 Apr. 2024
Nashville, Tennessee features collaborations Ernest’s with fellow Nashville native and country hitmaker Jelly Roll, as well as Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, as well as the other members of his Big Loud Records labelmate singer-songwriter trifecta, Morgan Wallen and HARDY.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024
Sweet Onion, Scallion and Chive Dip Sweet onions, scallions and chives form an allium trifecta in this creamy dip.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Sunday was a big night for country music and a trifecta of Kentucky artists nominated for awards at the 2024 CMT Awards.
—Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 8 Apr. 2024
Saturday’s Road to the Kentucky Derby schedule features a trifecta of Championship Series stakes as key races for bigger Derby preps at the same tracks in the next five weeks.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
With a refined broad-spectrum product that’s totally THC-free, Penguin completes the trifecta by also creating a unique assortment of flavors that will satisfy anyone’s taste buds.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
North Carolina: The nation's top gubernatorial battleground North Carolina’s governor race is set to be the year’s most contentious contest as Democrats try to stave off a Republican trifecta in the state.
—USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trifecta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near trifecta
Cite this Entry
“Trifecta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifecta. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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