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.
Examples of trifecta in a Sentence
Joan Michelson, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The trifecta of implementations is among Andrea Grilli’s first moves in enhancing brand awareness in the market since joining the company.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
For skin-care aficionados, K-beauty was an ideal trifecta: a product that feels luxurious, seems effective, and is relatively affordable.
—Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
That year at Darlington, fan-favorite Bill Elliott passed Cale Yarborough late to win from the pole and complete the trifecta.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trifecta
Cite this Entry
“Trifecta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trifecta. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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