: any of several horse races held annually and usually restricted to three-year-olds
2
: a race or contest open to all comers or to a specified category of contestants
a bicycle derby
3
British: a game between local sports teams
… even when both clubs were going through trophy droughts, the derby was still treated like a European Cup final by the fans.—The Manchester (England) Evening News
4
: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped crown and narrow brim
Illustration of derby
derby 4
Examples of derby in a Sentence
a derby between Manchester United and Manchester City
Recent Examples on the WebSo will the Friday derby, said Damye Hahn, the Devines’ daughter.—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024 In her blue derby car with its yellow lightning-bolt stickers, Valentina looked one with her vehicle.—Bernard Mokam Gabriela Bhaskar, New York Times, 11 May 2024 Sarah Jessica Parker Sarah Jessica Parker came straight from the derby in her fascinator and pearls.—Annie Blay, Allure, 6 May 2024 The derby holds a special place in the father-daughter duo's hearts as Larry and Anna Nicole, who died in 2007, first met at the event's Barnstable-Brown Gala in 2003.—EW.com, 4 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for derby
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derby.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
: a horse race usually for three-year-olds held annually
2
: a race or contest open to all comers
a fishing derby
3
: a stiff felt hat with dome-shaped top and narrow brim
Etymology
named for Edward Stanley, 12th earl of Derby (a county and town in England)
Word Origin
The first horse race called a Derby was named after an English nobleman named Edward Stanley, the Earl of Derby (1752–1834). The Earl instituted the race in 1780, and it continues to be run to the present day on the first Wednesday in June at Epsom Downs, a racetrack south of London. The name Derby has become attached to other races usually restricted to three-year-old horses, such as the Kentucky Derby. It is used as well of races that have nothing to do with horses, such as the Pinewood Derby run by the Cub Scouts. In the 1800s derby was also the name given in the U.S. to a dome-shaped hat called a bowler in England. The reason why the hat was given this name is uncertain, and nothing seems to link it with horse races.
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