trifecta

[ trahy-fek-tuh ]

/ ˈtraɪˌfɛk tə /

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noun

Sports.

a type of bet, especially on horse races, in which the bettor must select the first three finishers in exact order.
a race in which such bets are made.

a group, set, or series of three; a triad: Plain yogurt is the perfect food, with its trifecta of carbs, protein, and fat.

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Also called triple.

Origin of trifecta

First recorded in 1970–75; tri- + (per)fecta

Words nearby trifecta

triethyl, triethylamine, triethyl orthoformate, trifacial, trifacial neuralgia, trifecta, triffid, trifid, trifid foot, trifle, trifling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trifecta in a sentence

Republicans won another trifecta, as it is called when one party holds the state legislature and governorship, after their victory in the Montana’s governor race.
Democrats’ down-ballot misery continues with state legislative battles|Amber Phillips|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
The trifecta of wins added to investor optimism in the growing industry’s potential to rake in billions more in revenue.
Sports-betting stocks climb after three states back legal gambling|matthewheimer|November 4, 2020|Fortune
However, Republicans have plenty of ways to stop a DFL trifecta even if they lose those two seats.
Could Democrats Win Full Control Of More State Governments Than Republicans?|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Democrats already capitalized on their most realistic trifecta opportunities in 2018, but there are still a few states left where the party could take full control of government.
Could Democrats Win Full Control Of More State Governments Than Republicans?|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Finally, there are two states where all three components of a trifecta are competitive in 2020, meaning either party could emerge with total control of government.
Could Democrats Win Full Control Of More State Governments Than Republicans?|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|October 20, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Petty, shade, and thirst are my favorite human “virtues” and the trifecta of any good series of “stories.”
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Now, Lupita Nyong'o. Anna Wintour has hit the trifecta, delivering Vogue's readers with exactly what they want.
Lupita Nyong'o Covers Vogue; Museum of Modern Art Announces Bjork Exhibit|The Fashion Beast Team|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Tfank, Thurman, and Prada were the trifecta that changed everything in 1995—even if it was accidental.
Barbara Tfank: The Red Carpet Radical|Erin Cunningham|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He and his allies continue to control the courts, the military and the police—a brutal trifecta.
Ukraine’s Bloody Crackdown Enters Its Third Day|Oleg Shynkarenko|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is a series led by the trifecta of Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Kathy Bates, three actresses—imagine!
‘Boy Parts’ Proves ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Is the Boldest Drama on TV|Kevin Fallon|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for trifecta

trifecta

/ (traɪˈfɛktə) /

noun

a form of betting in which the punter selects the first three place-winners in a horse race in the correct order

any achievement involving three successful outcomes

Word Origin for trifecta

from tri- + (per) fecta, a US system of betting

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012