: 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
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Highlights include live music and entertainment, kid zone featuring hot wheels derby and power wheels race, food trucks, merchandise vendors and community booths along with raffles and Ocean Beach after parties.—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 The state said the purpose of the derby is to raise awareness about the threats invasive species pose to Florida’s ecology.—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2025 On Sunday, the carp fishing derby will begin at 6 a.m. Contestants may register onsite the day of the event.—Judy Pochel, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025 Spurs scored from a set piece in their first friendly against Reading and did not panic when Arsenal bombarded them with corners during the north London derby in Hong Kong on Thursday, which Spurs won 1-0.—Jay Harris, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for derby
: 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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