derby

noun

der·​by ˈdər-bē 

especially British ˈdä-

plural derbies

1

: 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 fishing 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 Web

Co-designed by Collegium founder and creative director Nick Sisombath and Everlane’s design team, the capsule features five genderless footwear styles designed in Los Angeles, handmade in Italy, spanning loafers, derbies, boots and sneakers. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Atletico Madrid won the first capital derby of the season in the Spanish league with a 2-1 win against 10-man Real Madrid, while Manchester City prevailed in an eight-goal thriller against Sunderland to move clear at the top of the Premier League. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

The momentum around derbies paused over summer—sandals always dominate the footwear scene as soon as the temperatures rise—but now that fall is here, the closed-toe shoe seems poised to make a big splash again. — María Munsuri, Glamour, 19 Sep. 2026

The 46-year-old, whose team won 1-0 against Manchester United in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday despite Phil Foden’s first-half red card, is a firm believer in the power of music in an elite performance setting. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Edward Stanley †1834, 12th earl of Derby

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing derby

• demolition derby

Rhymes for derby

• kirby

Kids Definition

derby

noun

der·​by ˈdər-bē 

especially British ˈdär-

plural derbies

1

: 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.

Geographical Definition

Derby

geographical name

Der·​by ˈdär-bē 

chiefly U.S.

ˈdər- 

city on the Derwent River in Derbyshire, north central England