Standard Lemma guide

trifecta

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /tɹaɪˈfɛktə/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: T R AY0 F EH1 K T AH0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A bet in which the bettor must select the first three placegetters of a race in the order in which they finish.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, New-Zealand, US

Topics: gambling, games

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The attainment of three important achievements, qualities, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, New-Zealand, US, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A set of three related things, often things that cause problems.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, New-Zealand, US, broadly

Examples

  • a trifecta of political losers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

The complete legislative and executive control of state or federal government by one party: governorship, the upper house, and the lower house of state or federal legislatures.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, New-Zealand, US

Topics: government, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From tri- + (per)fecta.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: troikka — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • French: tiercé — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • German: Dreierwette — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • Hungarian: hármas befutó — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • Italian: tris — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • Spanish: trifecta (Arg.) — bet on the first three places of a race in the order
  • Spanish: trinomio — set of three related things
  • Spanish: trío — set of three related things
  • Spanish: tríada — set of three related things
  • Spanish: trinidad — set of three related things
  • Finnish: trifekta — control by one party of the federal or state government